Shloka 20
Brahmopadeśa: Adhipatitva-kathana, Dharma-lakṣaṇa, and Kṣetra–Kṣetrajña Viveka
Book 14, Chapter 43
अत ऊर्ध्व॑ प्रवक्ष्यामि नियतं धर्मलक्षणम्
ata ūrdhvaṁ pravakṣyāmi niyataṁ dharma-lakṣaṇam | ahiṁsā sarva-śreṣṭho dharmaḥ hiṁsā cādharmalakṣaṇam | prakāśo devatānāṁ lakṣaṇaṁ yajñādi-karma manuṣyāṇāṁ lakṣaṇam ||
Vāyu dit : «À présent, je vais exposer les marques établies par lesquelles on reconnaît le dharma. La non-violence (ahiṃsā) est le dharma suprême, tandis que la violence est le signe même de l’adharma. La splendeur est la caractéristique des dieux, et les sacrifices (yajña) ainsi que les rites qui s’y rattachent sont l’activité propre des hommes.»
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines dharma by its distinguishing marks: ahiṁsā (non-violence) is upheld as the supreme form of dharma, while hiṁsā (violence) is identified as the hallmark of adharma. It also contrasts divine and human spheres: gods are characterized by radiance, whereas humans are characterized by performing yajña and related prescribed rites.
Vāyudeva is speaking as a moral instructor, announcing that he will set forth an authoritative description of dharma’s defining characteristics. The statement functions as a doctrinal clarification within the Ashvamedhika Parva’s broader post-war ethical and religious reflections.