Shloka 56
तेभ्यो विशिष्टां जानामि गतिमेकान्तिनां नृणाम् जो ब्राह्मण उपनिषदोंसहित सम्पूर्ण वेदोंका भलीभाँति आश्रय ले उनका विधिपूर्वक स्वाध्याय करते हैं तथा जो संन्यासधर्मका पालन करनेवाले हैं, इन सबसे उत्तम गति उन्हींको प्राप्त होती है, जो भगवानके अनन्य भक्त होते हैं,धर्मज्ञानेन चैतेन सुप्रयुक्तेन कर्मणा । अहिंसाधर्मयुक्तेन प्रीयते हरिरी श्वर: इस धर्मको जाननेसे और अहिंसाभावसे युक्त इस सात्वतधर्मको क्रियारूपसे आचरणमें लानेसे जगदीश्वर श्रीहरि प्रसन्न होते हैं
dharmajñānena caitena suprayuktena karmaṇā | ahiṃsā-dharma-yuktena prīyate harir īśvaraḥ ||
Janamejaya asks about the highest destiny of those who are steadfast in the one-pointed path. The teaching given is that the Lord—Hari, the Supreme Ruler—is pleased when a person truly understands this dharma and puts it into practice through well-directed action that is grounded in the vow of non-violence. Such lived dharma, joined to inner knowledge and ethical restraint, is presented as the sure means to the best end and the highest good.
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that God (Hari, the Lord) is pleased not merely by learning, but by dharma understood and enacted: properly directed action (karma) that is explicitly joined to ahiṃsā (non-violence). Ethical restraint and correct practice are presented as the decisive spiritual means.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on peace and right living, Janamejaya’s inquiry frames a discussion of the highest path. The response emphasizes that the supreme outcome belongs to those whose conduct embodies dharma through disciplined action and non-violence, culminating in devotion to Hari.