Shloka 79
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
धर्मोडहमस्मि भद्ठर ते जिज्ञासार्थ तवानघ । प्राप्त: सत्यं च ते ज्ञात्वा प्रीतिर्मे परमा त्वयि
dharmo 'ham asmi bhadra te jijñāsārthaṁ tavānagha | prāptaḥ satyaṁ ca te jñātvā prītir me paramā tvayi ||
Dijo Bhishma: «Yo soy Dharma. Oh intachable Sudarshana, que el bien te acompañe. He venido aquí para ponerte a prueba. Al reconocer la veracidad que hay en ti, siento por ti la más alta alegría y aprobación.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma validates character through testing, and the hallmark of a righteous person is satya (truthfulness). When truth is confirmed, it naturally earns prīti—moral approval and affectionate regard—from Dharma itself.
The speaker reveals his true identity as Dharma and explains that his appearance was meant to test the listener’s integrity. Having found the listener truthful and blameless, he expresses deep satisfaction and blessing.