Shloka 22
धर्मसूक्ष्मे त्यागप्रधान्यविचारः
Subtle Dharma and the Primacy of Renunciation
पूर्वशास्त्रविदो5प्येवं जना: पश्यन्ति भारत । क्रियासु निरता नित्यं दाने यज्ञे च कर्मणि
pūrvaśāstravido 'py evaṃ janāḥ paśyanti bhārata | kriyāsu niratā nityaṃ dāne yajñe ca karmaṇi bharatanandana ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Ô Bhārata, même les autorités anciennes, connaissant les śāstra d’autrefois, considèrent cette question de la même manière. Ceux qui demeurent sans cesse voués aux devoirs prescrits—fermes dans le don, dans le sacrifice (yajña) et dans les œuvres justes—gardent exactement ce point de vue, ô joie des Bhārata.»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
That the ethical viewpoint being asserted is not novel: it is supported by earlier scriptural authorities, especially those who consistently practice dharma through charity (dāna), sacrifice (yajña), and disciplined action (karma).
Yudhiṣṭhira strengthens his argument in the Śānti Parva discussion by appealing to precedent: learned ancients and devoted practitioners of ritual and duty share the same understanding of the issue under debate.