Shloka 1
/ ऑपन-माज बछ। -ज:डि द्विषष्ट्याधिकशततमो< ध्याय: सत्यके लक्षण, स्वरूप और महिमाका वर्णन युधिषछ्िर उवाच सत्यं धर्म प्रशंसन्ति विप्रर्षिपितृदेवता: । सत्यमिच्छाम्यहं श्रीतुं तन््मे ब्रूहि पितामह,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा-पितामह! ब्राह्मण, ऋषि, पितर और देवता-ये सब सत्यभाषणरूप धर्मकी प्रशंसा करते हैं; अत: अब मैं यह सुनना चाहता हूँ कि सत्य क्या है? उसे मुझे बताइये
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | satyaṃ dharmaṃ praśaṃsanti viprarṣipitṛdevatāḥ | satyam icchāmy ahaṃ śrotuṃ tan me brūhi pitāmaha ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Brahmins, seer-sages, the ancestors, and the gods all extol truthfulness as a form of dharma. Therefore I wish to hear what ‘truth’ truly is—tell me that, O Grandfather.”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truthfulness (satya) is presented as a central expression of dharma, praised across human and divine authorities; the verse frames satya as foundational to moral order and worthy of precise definition.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Grandfather’ and requests a clear explanation of what truth is, setting up Bhīṣma’s forthcoming discourse on satya—its nature, marks, and greatness.