Shloka 71

पापात्म-धर्मात्म-लक्षणम् तथा निर्वेदेन मोक्षमार्गः | Marks of the Sinful and the Righteous; Dispassion (Nirveda) as a Path to Liberation

Devanagari script

बन्धूनां सुह्दां चैव भृत्यानां स्त्रीजनस्य च । अव्यक्तेष्वपरा धेषु चिरकारी प्रशस्यते

Transliteration

bandhūnāṃ suhṛdāṃ caiva bhṛtyānāṃ strījanasya ca | avyakteṣv aparādheṣu cirakārī praśasyate ||

Translation

Quant aux fautes dissimulées des parents, des amis bienveillants, des serviteurs et des femmes de la maison, est digne d’éloge celui qui ne se hâte pas de juger, mais délibère avec soin dans la durée.

Word by Word

• बन्धूनाम्: of kinsmen/relatives
• बन्धूनाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धु
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• सुहृदाम्: of friends/well-wishers
• सुहृदाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुहृद्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• एव: indeed/just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• भृत्यानाम्: of servants/attendants
• भृत्यानाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृत्य
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• स्त्रीजनस्य: of the womenfolk
• स्त्रीजनस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्रीजन
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अव्यक्तेषु: in hidden/unmanifest (matters)
• अव्यक्तेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यक्त
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Plural

• अपराधेषु: in offences/faults
• अपराधेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपराध
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Plural

• चिरकारी: one who acts after a long time; deliberate
• चिरकारी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चिरकारिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रशस्यते: is praised/commended
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + शंस्
• Form: Present, Passive, Third, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Do not decide hastily in cases of concealed or unclear wrongdoing—especially involving close relations and dependents. A dharmic person investigates, reflects, and acts only after careful deliberation.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on prudent judgment: when alleged faults are hidden or uncertain within one’s household and circle, patience and thoughtful inquiry are praised over impulsive action.