Shloka 20
Viṣṇor Māhātmya and Indriya-saṃyama (विष्णोर्माहात्म्यं तथा इन्द्रियसंयमः)
अहिंसा सकलो धर्मो हिंसाधर्मस्तथाहित: । सत्य॑ तेडहं प्रवक्ष्यामि यो धर्म: सत्यवादिनाम्
ahiṃsā sakalo dharmo hiṃsādharmas tathāhitaḥ | satyaṃ te ’haṃ pravakṣyāmi yo dharmaḥ satyavādinām ||
Nārada said: “Non-violence is the whole of dharma; yet violence too is enjoined as a dharma in its proper place. I shall now tell you the truth—the dharma that belongs to those who are committed to speaking truth.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a nuanced ethic: non-violence is upheld as the comprehensive ideal of dharma, yet certain forms of violence can be duty when properly sanctioned and contextually appropriate (such as protection of the innocent or lawful punishment). It then frames the discussion around satya—truthfulness—as a defining duty of those committed to speaking truth.
Nārada is speaking within the Shānti Parva’s instruction on dharma. He introduces a key tension—ahiṃsā as the highest principle versus hiṃsā as sometimes prescribed—and signals that he will explain the ‘truth’ and the specific dharma associated with truth-speakers.