Shloka 10
Vāmadeva’s Counsel on Rooted Kingship and Non-violent Victory (वामदेवोपदेशः—दृढमूलराजधर्मः)
यदार्यजनविद्धिष्टं कर्म तन्नाचरेद् बुध: । यत् कल्याणमभिशध्यायेत् तत्रात्मानं नियोजयेत्
yad āryajanaviddhiṣṭaṃ karma tan nācared budhaḥ | yat kalyāṇam abhiśadhyāyet tatrātmānaṃ niyojayet ||
Vāmadeva sprach: Ein Weiser soll keine Handlung beginnen, die von den Edlen und Gebildeten getadelt wird. Vielmehr soll er klar erkennen, was wahrhaft heilsam und glückverheißend ist, und sich allein diesem Weg verpflichten.
वामदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical action should be guided by the standards of the virtuous and by clear discernment of what leads to welfare (kalyāṇa). A wise person avoids deeds condemned by good people and deliberately commits to what is beneficial.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, the sage Vāmadeva offers a normative rule for behavior: reject actions reproached by the noble and direct oneself toward what is judged to be truly auspicious and good.