Shloka 14
जापक–इक्ष्वाकु–सत्यविवादः
The Jāpaka, Ikṣvāku, and the Dispute on Truth and Merit
श्लोकौ चात्र भवत:-- वात्सल्यात्सर्व भूते भ्यो वाच्या: श्रोत्रसुखा गिर: । परितापोपघातकश्न पारुष्यं चात्र गर्हितम्
ślokau cātra bhavataḥ— vātsalyāt sarvabhūtebhyo vācyāḥ śrotrasukhā giraḥ | paritāpopaghātakaś ca pāruṣyaṃ cātra garhitam ||
Bharadvāja dit : «Deux vers bien connus sont cités ici : il faut prononcer des paroles nées d’une bienveillance affectueuse envers tous les êtres vivants—des paroles agréables à l’oreille. Causer du tourment à autrui, le frapper ou le blesser, et la parole dure, tout cela est condamné ici comme conduite blâmable.»
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
Cultivate compassionate, ear-pleasing speech rooted in goodwill toward all beings, and avoid causing pain—whether by physical harm or by harsh, abusive words—since such conduct is censured in dharma.
In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, Bharadvāja cites two proverbial verses to instruct on ethical conduct, emphasizing non-harm and disciplined speech as part of righteous living.