Shloka 3

सान्त्व-निति: (Sāntva-Nīti) — The One-Word Principle of Conciliation

Devanagari script

ब॒हस्पतिरुवाच सान्त्वमेकपदं शक्र पुरुष: सम्यगाचरन्‌ । प्रमाणं सर्वभूतानां यशश्वैवाप्रुयान्महत्‌,बृहस्पतिजीने कहा--इन्द्र! जिसका नाम एक ही पदका है, वह एकमात्र वस्तु है सान्त्वना (मधुर वचन बोलना)। उसका भलीभाँति आचरण करनेवाला पुरुष समस्त प्राणियोंका प्रिय होकर महान्‌ यश प्राप्त कर लेता है

Transliteration

bṛhaspatir uvāca—sāntvam ekapadaṃ śakra, puruṣaḥ samyag ācaran | pramāṇaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ priyaś caivāpnuyān mahat yaśaḥ ||

Translation

Bṛhaspati said: “O Śakra (Indra), ‘sāntva’—gentle conciliation through sweet, reassuring speech—is a single, simple principle. A person who practices it rightly becomes dear to all beings, serves as a standard of conduct among them, and attains great renown.”

Word by Word

• {'bṛhaspatiḥ': 'Bṛhaspati

• preceptor of the gods', 'uvāca': 'said', 'sāntvam': 'conciliation

• gentle, sweet speech used to calm and reconcile', 'ekapadam': 'one word/one principle

• a single concise precept', 'śakra': 'Śakra

• Indra', 'puruṣaḥ': 'a man

• a person', 'samyak': 'properly

• in the correct manner', 'ācaran': 'practicing

• conducting oneself', 'pramāṇam': 'a standard

• an exemplar', 'sarvabhūtānām': 'of all beings/creatures', 'priyaḥ': 'dear

• beloved', 'āpnu(y)āt': 'would attain

• would obtain', 'mahat': 'great', 'yaśaḥ': 'fame

Speaker

शक्र उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bṛhaspati
• Śakra (Indra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches that sāntva—gentle conciliation through kind, calming speech—is a concise but powerful ethical practice. One who employs it correctly becomes beloved by all beings, sets a moral example, and gains lasting good fame.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva, Bṛhaspati addresses Śakra (Indra) with counsel. He highlights a practical principle of conduct—using conciliatory, sweet speech—to guide behavior and social harmony.