Shloka 24
Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ
Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra
अनुक्रोशो हि साधूनां महद्धर्मस्य लक्षणम् | अनुक्रोशश्व साधूनां सदा प्रीति प्रयच्छति
anukrośo hi sādhūnāṁ mahaddharmasya lakṣaṇam | anukrośaś ca sādhūnāṁ sadā prītiṁ prayacchati ||
Bhishma said: Compassion is indeed the defining mark of the great Dharma in the case of the virtuous. And compassion, in the virtuous, continually bestows inner joy and contentment.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that compassion (anukrośa) is a primary hallmark of great Dharma among the virtuous, and that cultivating compassion naturally yields enduring inner joy (prīti).
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma is advising Yudhiṣṭhira by defining a key sign of true righteousness: the steady presence of compassion in a good person’s conduct.