Shloka 66
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
अद्रोह: सर्वभूतेषु कर्मणा मनसा गिरा । अनुग्रहश्च दानं च शीलमेतत् प्रशस्यते
adrohaḥ sarvabhūteṣu karmaṇā manasā girā | anugrahaś ca dānaṃ ca śīlam etat praśasyate ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra dijo: «No albergar malicia contra ningún ser viviente—ni con los actos, ni con la mente, ni con la palabra—mostrar benevolencia y dar caridad según la propia capacidad: a esto se le llama śīla (buena conducta), y todos lo alaban.»
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
True śīla (good character) is defined as non-malice toward all beings expressed consistently in three channels—actions, thoughts, and speech—together with compassion and charitable giving.
Within the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Dhṛtarāṣṭra articulates a concise ethical standard, emphasizing inner intention and outward behavior as a unified measure of virtue.