Shloka 4
सत्यं सत्सु सदा धर्म: सत्यं धर्म: सनातन: । सत्यमेव नमस्येत सत्यं हि परमा गति:,सत्पुरुषोंमें सदा सत्यरूप धर्मका ही पालन हुआ है। सत्य ही सनातन धर्म है। सत्यको ही सदा सिर झुकाना चाहिये; क्योंकि सत्य ही जीवकी परम गति है
satyaṁ satsu sadā dharmaḥ satyaṁ dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | satyam eva namasyeta satyaṁ hi paramā gatiḥ ||
Bhishma declares that among the truly good, dharma has always taken the form of truthfulness. Truth itself is the eternal dharma. Therefore one should bow to truth alone, for truth is the highest destination and final refuge of the living being.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truthfulness is presented as the very essence of dharma: it is eternal, worthy of reverence, and leads to the highest good. The verse elevates satya from a single virtue to the foundation and culmination of righteous living.
In the Shanti Parva’s post-war instruction, Bhishma is teaching Yudhishthira about dharma and right conduct. Here he emphasizes satya as the defining mark of the virtuous and as the supreme guiding principle for ethical life.