Shloka 8
Sanatsujāta–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Saṃvāda: Brahmacarya and the Formless Brahman
Udyoga Parva 44
सद् वासद् वा परीवादो ब्राह्मणस्य न शस्यते । नरकप्रतिष्ठास्ते वै स्युर्य एवं कुर्वते जना:
sad vā asad vā parīvādo brāhmaṇasya na śasyate | naraka-pratiṣṭhās te vai syur ye evaṁ kurvate janāḥ ||
Sanatsujāta lehrt: Ob ein Bericht wahr oder unwahr ist—über andere schlecht zu reden ziemt sich nicht für einen Brāhmaṇa. Wer sich dem Fehlersuchen und der Verleumdung hingibt, stellt sich unweigerlich auf den Weg zur Hölle.
सनत्युजात उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even if something is factually true, indulging in disparagement (parīvāda) is not commendable—especially for one committed to disciplined, dharmic conduct. Slander and fault-finding corrupt speech and character and lead to grave karmic consequences.
In the Sanatsujātīya section of the Udyoga Parva, Sanatsujāta instructs (in a didactic dialogue) on dharma and inner discipline. Here he specifically warns against the moral danger of speaking ill of others, linking it to downfall and suffering.