Shloka 35
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
हीनांगानतिरिक्तांगान् विद्याहीनान् विगर्हितान् | रूपद्रविणहीनांश्व सत्त्वहीनांश्व नाक्षिपेत्
hīnāṅgān atiriktāṅgān vidyāhīnān vigarhitān | rūpa-draviṇa-hīnānś ca sattva-hīnānś ca nākṣipet ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: No se debe reprochar a quienes tienen alguna discapacidad o deformidad, a quienes poseen miembros de más, a los faltos de aprendizaje, a los socialmente censurados, a los que carecen de belleza o de riqueza, ni a los que carecen de fuerza y valor. Tal afán de señalar defectos es impropio y contrario al dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not mock or reproach people for deficiencies of body, learning, social standing, beauty, wealth, or strength; ethical speech requires restraint and compassion, aligning one’s conduct with dharma.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper conduct; here he lays down a rule of right speech—avoiding contemptuous criticism of those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable.