Shloka 453

Devanagari script

नापरीक्षितचारित्रे विद्या देया कथंचन । 'ये सभी शिष्यके गुण हैं। किसीको शिष्य बनानेसे पहले उसके इन गुणोंको यथार्थरूपसे परख लेना चाहिये। जिसके सदाचारकी परीक्षा न ली गयी हो, उसे किसी प्रकार विद्यादान नहीं देना चाहिये

Transliteration

nāparīkṣitacāritre vidyā deyā kathaṃcana |

Translation

Bhīṣma said: One should never impart learning to a person whose conduct has not been tested. Unless a prospective disciple’s character has been carefully examined and found sound, instruction should not be given; for knowledge placed in unverified hands can be misused and becomes ethically unsafe.

Word by Word

nanot

aparīkṣita-cāritrein/for one whose conduct is unexamined

vidyāknowledge, learning

deyāshould be given

kathaṃcanain any way; at all

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Learning should be entrusted only after verifying the student’s moral character; knowledge is ethically powerful and must be given with discernment.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhīṣma advises standards for accepting disciples and giving instruction, emphasizing prior examination of character.