Shloka 14
Jñāna-plava (The Raft of Knowledge): Svabhāva, Prajñā, and the Ascent to Ātmajñāna
निन्दाप्रशंसे चात्यर्थ न वदन्ति परस्य ये । न च निन्दाप्रशंसाभ्यां विक्रियन्ते कदाचन
nindāpraśaṃse cātyarthaṃ na vadanti parasya ye | na ca nindāpraśaṃsābhyāṃ vikriyante kadācana ||
Jaigiṣavya dit : Ceux qui ne parlent pas d’autrui avec un blâme ou une louange excessifs—et qui ne sont jamais troublés intérieurement par la censure ou la commendation qu’on leur adresse—demeurent fermes dans leur caractère. Leur force morale réside dans la retenue de la parole et l’équanimité de l’esprit, intactes face à l’approbation ou au désaveu du monde.
जैगीषव्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not indulge in extreme criticism or flattery of others, and do not let praise or blame directed at you disturb the mind; steadiness and restraint are marks of ethical maturity.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and inner discipline, Jaigiṣavya describes the conduct of the self-possessed: measured speech about others and unwavering composure when judged by society.