Shloka 45
गोमूल्यनिर्णयः — The Determination of Value through the Cow
Nahuṣa–Cyavana Episode
आर्यरूपसमाचारं चरन्तं कृतके पथि । सुवर्णमन्यवर्ण वा स्वशीलं शास्ति निश्चये
āryarūpasamācāraṃ carantaṃ kṛtake pathi | suvarṇam anyavarṇaṃ vā svaśīlaṃ śāsti niścaye ||
Bhīṣma dit : Lorsqu’un homme emprunte une voie artificielle et imite la conduite et la tenue des nobles, on peut se demander s’il est de l’or véritable ou du verre—de lignée pure ou mêlée. Mais pour trancher ce doute, c’est son propre caractère—sa disposition profonde et la constance de ses actes—qui finit par révéler la vérité.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External refinement or imitation of noble behavior is not the final proof of virtue; a person’s true nature and consistent character are what ultimately disclose whether the goodness is genuine.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma, he explains how to judge a person who appears cultured and righteous: when appearances are uncertain, one should rely on the evidence of enduring character rather than mere outward performance.