Shloka 49
गोमूल्यनिर्णयः — The Determination of Value through the Cow
Nahuṣa–Cyavana Episode
आत्मानमाख्याति हि कर्मभिर्नर: सुशीलचारित्रकुलै: शुभाशुभै: । प्रणष्टमप्याशु कुलं तथा नर: पुन: प्रकाशं कुरुते स्वकर्मत:
ātmānam ākhyāti hi karmabhir naraḥ suśīlacāritrakulaiḥ śubhāśubhaiḥ | praṇaṣṭam apy āśu kulaṃ tathā naraḥ punaḥ prakāśaṃ kurute svakarmataḥ ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: A una persona se la conoce de verdad por sus actos—buenos o malos—y por la nobleza de su carácter, su conducta y su linaje. Aunque su estirpe haya caído en la oscuridad o en la ruina, un hombre puede devolverla pronto al honor y a la estima pública por la fuerza de sus propias acciones.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A person’s real identity and worth are revealed by conduct and deeds; even if lineage is damaged, ethical action can restore honor and recognition.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma, he emphasizes that social standing is not fixed by birth alone: one’s actions and character publicly define a person and can even revive a fallen family’s reputation.