Shloka 14
Jñāna-plava (The Raft of Knowledge): Svabhāva, Prajñā, and the Ascent to Ātmajñāna
निन्दाप्रशंसे चात्यर्थ न वदन्ति परस्य ये । न च निन्दाप्रशंसाभ्यां विक्रियन्ते कदाचन
nindāpraśaṃse cātyarthaṃ na vadanti parasya ye | na ca nindāpraśaṃsābhyāṃ vikriyante kadācana ||
Jaigiṣavya said: Those who do not speak of others with excessive blame or praise—and who are never inwardly disturbed by either censure or commendation directed at themselves—remain steady in character. Their ethical strength lies in restraint of speech and equanimity of mind, untouched by social approval or disapproval.
जैगीषव्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not indulge in extreme criticism or flattery of others, and do not let praise or blame directed at you disturb the mind; steadiness and restraint are marks of ethical maturity.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and inner discipline, Jaigiṣavya describes the conduct of the self-possessed: measured speech about others and unwavering composure when judged by society.