Shloka 3

सान्त्व-निति: (Sāntva-Nīti) — The One-Word Principle of Conciliation

Devanagari script

ब॒हस्पतिरुवाच सान्त्वमेकपदं शक्र पुरुष: सम्यगाचरन्‌ । प्रमाणं सर्वभूतानां यशश्वैवाप्रुयान्महत्‌

Transliteration

bṛhaspatir uvāca—sāntvam ekapadaṃ śakra, puruṣaḥ samyag ācaran | pramāṇaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ priyaś caivāpnuyān mahat yaśaḥ ||

Translation

Bṛhaspati sprach: „O Śakra (Indra), ‘sāntva’—sanfte Beschwichtigung und Versöhnung durch süße, beruhigende Worte—ist ein einziges, schlichtes Prinzip. Wer es recht ausübt, wird allen Wesen lieb, gilt ihnen als Maßstab des Handelns und erlangt großen Ruhm.“

Word by Word

• {'bṛhaspatiḥ': 'Bṛhaspati

• preceptor of the gods', 'uvāca': 'said', 'sāntvam': 'conciliation

• gentle, sweet speech used to calm and reconcile', 'ekapadam': 'one word/one principle

• a single concise precept', 'śakra': 'Śakra

• Indra', 'puruṣaḥ': 'a man

• a person', 'samyak': 'properly

• in the correct manner', 'ācaran': 'practicing

• conducting oneself', 'pramāṇam': 'a standard

• an exemplar', 'sarvabhūtānām': 'of all beings/creatures', 'priyaḥ': 'dear

• beloved', 'āpnu(y)āt': 'would attain

• would obtain', 'mahat': 'great', 'yaśaḥ': 'fame

Speaker

शक्र उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bṛhaspati
• Śakra (Indra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches that sāntva—gentle conciliation through kind, calming speech—is a concise but powerful ethical practice. One who employs it correctly becomes beloved by all beings, sets a moral example, and gains lasting good fame.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva, Bṛhaspati addresses Śakra (Indra) with counsel. He highlights a practical principle of conduct—using conciliatory, sweet speech—to guide behavior and social harmony.