Shloka 933
Adhyāya 208: Aṅgirasī-kanyāḥ
Enumeration of Aṅgiras’ daughters and attribute-names
न चैव द्रह्मेद् दद्याच्च सत्यं चैव सदा वदेत् । श्रेष्ठ पुरुष तीन ही पद बताते हैं--किसीसे द्रोह न करे, दान करे और सदा सत्य ही बोले। यह श्रेष्ठ पुरुषोंका सर्वोत्तम व्रत है
na caiva drohamed dadyāc ca satyaṃ caiva sadā vadet | śreṣṭha-puruṣās trīṇi hi padāni vadanti—kasyacid drohaṃ na kuryāt, dānaṃ kuryāt, sadā satyam eva brūyāt; etat śreṣṭha-puruṣāṇāṃ sarvottamaṃ vratam |
The hunter said: “One should never commit treachery against anyone; one should give in charity; and one should always speak the truth. These three are the steps taught by the best of men—non-betrayal, generosity, and truthfulness. This is held to be the highest vow of the noble.”
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condenses noble conduct into three ethical commitments: do not betray or harm others through treachery (adroha), practice giving (dāna), and speak truth consistently (satya). Together they are presented as the highest vow of the virtuous.
In the Vyādha episode of the Vana Parva, the hunter—despite his humble occupation—articulates refined dharma. Here he instructs by stating a concise rule of life that defines the conduct of ‘śreṣṭha-puruṣas’ (the noble).