Shloka 18
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
सदा दान्तो जितक्रोध: सत्यसंधो5नसूयक:
sadā dānto jitakrodhaḥ satyasaṃdho 'nasūyakaḥ | sa sadā mana indriyāṇi ca saṃyamya krodhaṃ jitavān | kṛtāṃ pratijñāṃ satyatayā pālayati sma na ca kasyacid doṣān apaśyat | tasya buddhimataḥ brāhmaṇasya niyame pūrṇe tadā sākṣād bhagavān dharmas tasminn atīva prasannaḥ san pratyakṣaṃ darśanaṃ dadau |
Bhīṣma said: He was ever self-restrained, having conquered anger, firm in truth, and free from fault-finding. He continually kept his mind and senses under control; he had mastered wrath. He upheld his vows with unwavering honesty and did not look for defects in others. When the wise brāhmaṇa’s observance was fulfilled, the Lord Dharma himself became greatly pleased with him and granted him a direct vision.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical excellence is shown through steady self-restraint: mastering anger, keeping mind and senses disciplined, honoring vows truthfully, and refusing to hunt for others’ faults. Such integrity in niyama (disciplined conduct) draws the favor of Dharma itself.
Bhīṣma describes a virtuous brāhmaṇa whose completed observance—marked by restraint, truthfulness, and non-censure—culminates in a direct, personal manifestation (darśana) of Lord Dharma, who is pleased by the practitioner’s conduct.