Shloka 22
असंतोषादिदोष-निरूपणम्
On the Faults of Discontent and the Discipline of Detachment
यस्तु वाचं विजानाति बहुमानमियात् स वै । ब्रह्म॒भावप्रपन्नानां वैद्यानां भावितात्मनाम्
yastu vācaṃ vijānāti bahumānam iyāt sa vai | brahmabhāvaprapannānāṃ vaidyānāṃ bhāvitātmanām ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “He who has learned to understand and employ speech in the manner of those pure-souled, disciplined knowers who have taken refuge in the state of Brahman—such a person is apt to fall into great self-regard over his own learning.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even refined, ‘sage-like’ speech and learning can become a cause of ego; true wisdom requires humility and vigilance against pride.
In the Śānti Parva’s ethical instruction setting, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the moral danger that accompanies learning—especially when one imitates the speech and demeanor of realized, purified sages.