Shloka 272
Viṣṇor Māhātmya and Indriya-saṃyama (विष्णोर्माहात्म्यं तथा इन्द्रियसंयमः)
अहिंसा ही सम्पूर्ण धर्म है। हिंसा अधर्म है और अधर्म अहितकारक होता है। अब मैं तुम्हें सत्यका महत्त्व बताऊँगा, जो सत्यवादी पुरुषोंका परम धर्म है ।।
Nārada uvāca: ahiṃsā hi sampūrṇo dharmaḥ. hiṃsā adharmaḥ, adharmaś ca ahitakārakaḥ bhavati. adhunāhaṃ te satyasya māhātmyaṃ vakṣyāmi, yat satyavādināṃ puruṣāṇāṃ paramo dharmaḥ.
Narada said: “Non-violence is indeed the complete form of dharma. Violence is adharma, and adharma brings harm. Now I shall tell you the greatness of truth—truthfulness being the highest duty of those who are devoted to speaking the truth.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts a moral hierarchy: ahiṃsā (non-violence) is presented as the complete essence of dharma, while hiṃsā (violence) is adharma and therefore harmful. It then introduces satya (truthfulness) as the supreme duty of those committed to truth, preparing for a fuller exposition on the power and value of truth.
Nārada is speaking in the Mokṣa-dharma section of the Śānti Parva, delivering ethical instruction. He concludes a point about non-violence versus violence and transitions to the next topic: explaining the greatness of truth and the dharma of truth-speaking persons.