Shloka 30
Pratyakṣa–Āgama–Ācāra: Doubt, Proof, and the Practice of Dharma (प्रत्यक्ष–आगम–आचारविचारः)
चारों वेदोंमें निष्णात होना और सब जीवोंके प्रति सरलताका बर्ताव करना--ये दोनों एक समान समझे जाते हैं अथवा सरलताका ही महत्त्व अधिक माना जाता है ।। आर्जवं धर्ममित्याहुरधर्मो जिह्म॒ उच्यते । आ्जवेनेह संयुक्तो नरो धर्मेण युज्यते,सरलताको धर्म कहते हैं और कुटिलताको अधर्म। सरलभावसे युक्त मनुष्य ही यहाँ धर्मके फलका भागी होता है
ārjavaṃ dharmam ity āhur adharmaḥ jihma ucyate | ārjaveneha saṃyukto naro dharmeṇa yujyate ||
Mahādeva teaches that straightforwardness is itself called dharma, while crookedness is termed adharma. A person who is joined to sincerity and simplicity in conduct becomes truly aligned with dharma here and thus becomes fit to receive its fruits. In ethical weight, such inner rectitude is held equal to—if not greater than—mere mastery of the four Vedas.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is identified with ārjava—straightforward, honest, non-deceptive conduct—whereas crookedness (jihmatā) is adharma. Ethical integrity is presented as a decisive marker of righteousness, even outweighing mere scholarly attainment.
Śrī Maheśvara is instructing the listener within the Anuśāsana Parva’s didactic setting, defining dharma through character and behavior: the truly dhārmic person is one who lives with simplicity and sincerity and thereby becomes entitled to dharma’s results.