Shloka 2
Satya–Anṛta Viveka (Discrimination between Truth and Falsehood) | सत्य–अनृत विवेकः
सत्यं चैवानृतं चोभे लोकानावृत्य तिष्ठत: । तयो: किमाचरेद् राजन् पुरुषो धर्मनिश्चितः,राजन्! सत्य और असत्य--ये दोनों सम्पूर्ण जगत्को व्याप्त करके स्थित हैं; किंतु धर्मपर विश्वास करनेवाला मनुष्य इन दोनोंमेंसे किसका आचरण करे?
satyam caivānṛtaṃ cobhe lokān āvṛtya tiṣṭhataḥ | tayoḥ kim ācaret rājan puruṣo dharma-niścitaḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Truth and untruth both pervade the worlds and stand established everywhere. In such a condition, O King, what should a person who is resolved upon dharma choose to practice?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a central dharmic problem: since both truth and falsehood appear pervasive in worldly life, ethical action cannot be reduced to a simplistic slogan; one must discern what conduct truly aligns with dharma in complex circumstances.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Yudhiṣṭhira raises a pointed question to a kingly authority figure, asking for guidance on right conduct when reality presents both truth and untruth everywhere.