Shloka 23
Śīla-prāpti and Śīla-lakṣaṇa (शीलप्राप्ति-शीललक्षणम्) | On the Acquisition and Marks of Character
प्रसादयेन्मधुरया वाचा वाप्यथ कर्मणा । तवास्मीति ददेन्नित्यं परेषां कीर्तयन् गुणान्,मीठी वाणी तथा उत्तम कर्मके द्वारा सबको प्रसन्न रखे, दूसरोंके गुणोंका बखान करे और सबसे यही कहे--मैं आपका ही हूँ---आप मुझे अपना ही समझें
prasādayen madhurayā vācā vāpy atha karmaṇā | tavāsmīti daden nityaṁ pareṣāṁ kīrtayan guṇān |
Kāmandaka said: “One should win people over—either by sweet speech or by worthy action. One should always offer the assurance, ‘I am yours,’ while praising the good qualities of others.”
कामन्दक उवाच
Educational Q&A
To maintain harmony and influence others ethically: please people through gentle speech or good deeds, affirm loyalty (“I am yours”), and openly praise others’ virtues rather than seeking dominance through harshness.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on right conduct (nīti/dharma), Kāmandaka gives practical counsel on how one should relate to others—using sweetness in words, excellence in action, and appreciative recognition of others’ good qualities.