Shloka 16
अध्वर्यु–यति संवादः
Adhvaryu–Yati Dialogue on Svabhāva, Ahiṃsā, and Mokṣa
अहिंसा सर्वधर्माणामिति वृद्धानुशासनम् | यदिहिंस्रं भवेत् कर्म तत् कार्यमिति विद्यहे
ahiṃsā sarvadharmāṇām iti vṛddhānuśāsanam | yad ahiṃsraṃ bhavet karma tat kāryam iti vidmahe ||
Le brahmane dit: «Telle est l’instruction transmise par les anciens: la non-violence est la première de toutes les formes de dharma. Aussi tenons-nous pour véritablement digne d’être accomplie toute action exempte de violence».
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ahimsa (non-violence) is presented as the highest principle among all dharmas; therefore, actions should be chosen and performed only insofar as they are non-injurious.
A Brahmin speaker cites the authoritative counsel of elders to argue for an ethical standard: the right course of action is the one that avoids violence, framing the discussion around dharma and proper conduct.