Shloka 10
यद् ब्राह्मणस्य कुशलं तदेव सततं वदेत् । तूष्णीमासीत निन्दायां कुर्वन् भैषज्यमात्मन:,जिससे ब्राह्मणोंका हित हो, वैसा ही वचन सदा बोले। अपनी निन्दा सुनकर भी चुप रह जाय--इस मौनावलम्बनको भवरोगसे छूटनेकी दवा समझकर इसका सेवन करता रहे
yad brāhmaṇasya kuśalaṁ tadeva satataṁ vadet | tūṣṇīm āsīta nindāyāṁ kurvan bhaiṣajyam ātmanaḥ ||
Vyāsa said: One should always speak only those words that promote the welfare of a brāhmaṇa. Even when blamed, one should remain silent—treating this discipline of silence as a medicine for oneself, a remedy that cures the disease of worldly becoming.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Speak consistently for the genuine welfare of the brāhmaṇa (and by extension, the righteous), and cultivate forbearance by remaining silent when criticized. Such restraint over speech and reaction is presented as a therapeutic discipline—like medicine—helping one overcome the 'disease' of worldly entanglement (bhava).
In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, Vyāsa delivers a concise rule of conduct: beneficial speech and silent endurance of blame. The verse functions as moral instruction rather than plot action, emphasizing inner discipline as a means toward peace and liberation.