Shloka 4
Gautama’s Flight, the Enchanted Grove, and the Arrival of Rājadharma
Nāḍījaṅgha
सत्यं सत्सु सदा धर्म: सत्यं धर्म: सनातन: । सत्यमेव नमस्येत सत्यं हि परमा गति:
satyaṁ satsu sadā dharmaḥ satyaṁ dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | satyam eva namasyeta satyaṁ hi paramā gatiḥ ||
Bhīṣma déclara : «Parmi les hommes véritablement bons, le dharma a toujours pris la forme de la véridicité. La vérité elle-même est le dharma éternel. Aussi faut-il ne s’incliner que devant la vérité, car la vérité est la destination suprême et l’ultime refuge de l’être vivant.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truthfulness is presented as the very essence of dharma: it is eternal, worthy of reverence, and leads to the highest good. The verse elevates satya from a single virtue to the foundation and culmination of righteous living.
In the Shanti Parva’s post-war instruction, Bhishma is teaching Yudhishthira about dharma and right conduct. Here he emphasizes satya as the defining mark of the virtuous and as the supreme guiding principle for ethical life.