Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
मोक्षधर्मश्रितैर्वाक्यहेतुमद्धिः सुनिष्ठरै: । मयोक्ता गच्छत क्षिप्रं स्वं स््वमेव निवेशनम्
mokṣadharmaśritair vākyair hetumadbhiḥ suniṣṭhuraiḥ | mayoktā gacchata kṣipraṃ svaṃ svam eva niveśanam ||
Jambuka said: “These words I have spoken to you may seem very harsh; yet they are grounded in reason and aligned with the dharma that leads to liberation. Therefore, accept them and, at my bidding, go quickly—each of you—to your own home.”
जम्बुक उवाच
Even if guidance sounds severe, it should be accepted when it is rational (hetumat) and aligned with mokṣa-dharma—teaching detachment and right conduct aimed at liberation rather than mere comfort.
Jambuka concludes an admonition: he acknowledges the bluntness of his words, justifies them as reason-based and liberation-oriented, and instructs his listeners to depart promptly, each returning to their own home.