Shloka 1
Śvetadvīpa-varṇana and Śāstra-pravartana (Śānti Parva 322)
नशा न (2) अफन्अत+- > मनुजीने धर्मके दस भेद ये बताये हैं-- धृति: क्षमा दमो3स्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रह: । धीर्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ।।
dhṛtiḥ kṣamā damo'steyaṁ śaucam indriyanigrahaḥ | dhīr vidyā satyam akrodho daśakaṁ dharmalakṣaṇam ||
“Steadfastness (dhṛti), forgiveness (kṣamā), self-restraint (dama), non-stealing (asteya), purity (śauca), control of the senses, sound understanding (dhī), learning (vidyā), truthfulness (satya), and freedom from anger (akrodha)—these ten are the marks of dharma.” In the Mokṣadharma of the Śānti Parva, the verse frames dharma not as mere ritual or social identity, but as inner disciplines and ethical virtues that shape conduct and character.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is identified through ten practical virtues—inner steadiness, forgiveness, restraint, honesty/non-stealing, purity, sensory discipline, discernment, learning, truthfulness, and freedom from anger—emphasizing character and conduct over mere external observance.
In the Śānti Parva’s Mokṣadharma discourse, a didactic list is presented that defines dharma by its observable ethical qualities, setting the tone for instruction on right living and liberation-oriented values.