Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 266
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
मही प्रचलिता चासीत् तस्य सत्येन कर्मणा । सारा शुभ्र आकाश सब ओससे मेघोंद्वारा आच्छादित हो गया। उनके सत्यकर्मके प्रभावसे पृथ्वी काँपने लगी
mahī pracalitā cāsīt tasya satyena karmaṇā |
By the power of his truth-filled conduct, the earth itself began to tremble and move. The narrative underscores an ethical principle central to dharma: satya (truthfulness), when embodied as steadfast action, is not merely personal virtue but a force capable of affecting the very order of the world.
श्येन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights satya as an active, world-sustaining force: truthfulness expressed through consistent conduct (satya-karma) generates moral potency that can influence even the natural/cosmic order.
Śyena states that because of someone's truthful actions, the earth began to move/tremble—an image used to convey the extraordinary efficacy of truth as a dharmic power.