Shloka 24
Adhyāya 159 — Dāna–Dakṣiṇā, Āpaddharma Measures, and Prāyaścitta Classifications
शिष्टाचार: प्रियो येषु दमो येषु प्रतिष्ठित: । सुखं दुःखं सम॑ येषां सत्यं येषां परायणम्
śiṣṭācāraḥ priyo yeṣu damo yeṣu pratiṣṭhitaḥ | sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ samaṁ yeṣāṁ satyaṁ yeṣāṁ parāyaṇam ||
Bhīṣma said: Those to whom the conduct of the righteous is dear; in whom self-restraint (dama) is firmly established; for whom pleasure and pain are held as equal; and for whom truth is the highest refuge—such people embody the steady ethical ideal that sustains dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines a dharmic character-type: one who loves the standards of the righteous (śiṣṭācāra), is grounded in self-restraint (dama), remains even-minded in pleasure and pain, and takes truth as the highest support. Together these mark inner steadiness and moral reliability.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma after the war. Here he lists qualities that identify truly virtuous persons, emphasizing disciplined conduct, equanimity, and unwavering commitment to truth.