Shloka 45
गोमूल्यनिर्णयः — The Determination of Value through the Cow
Nahuṣa–Cyavana Episode
आर्यरूपसमाचारं चरन्तं कृतके पथि । सुवर्णमन्यवर्ण वा स्वशीलं शास्ति निश्चये
āryarūpasamācāraṃ carantaṃ kṛtake pathi | suvarṇam anyavarṇaṃ vā svaśīlaṃ śāsti niścaye ||
Bhishma sprach: Wenn jemand einen künstlichen Weg einschlägt und das Benehmen und die Sitte der Edlen nachahmt, mag man zweifeln, ob er echtes Gold ist oder nur Glas—von reiner oder gemischter Abstammung. Doch bei der Entscheidung solcher Zweifel ist es sein eigener Charakter—seine gefestigte Art und sein beständiges Verhalten—der die Wahrheit offenbart.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External refinement or imitation of noble behavior is not the final proof of virtue; a person’s true nature and consistent character are what ultimately disclose whether the goodness is genuine.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma, he explains how to judge a person who appears cultured and righteous: when appearances are uncertain, one should rely on the evidence of enduring character rather than mere outward performance.