Shloka 31
मृत्यु-काल-प्रबोधनम् (Instruction on Mortality, Time, and Truth) — Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 169
तत्र दस्युर्धनयुत: सर्ववर्णविशेषवित् । ब्रह्मण्य: सत्यसंधश्न दाने च निरतो5भवत्
tatra dasyur dhanayutaḥ sarvavarṇaviśeṣavit | brahmaṇyaḥ satyasaṃdhaś ca dāne ca nirato 'bhavat ||
ત્યાં એક ધનવાન દસ્યુ રહેતો હતો, જે સર્વ વર્ણોના વિશેષ ધર્મો જાણતો હતો. તે બ્રાહ્મણભક્ત, સત્યપ્રતિજ્ઞ અને દાનમાં સદા તત્પર હતો.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that ethical qualities—truthfulness, reverence for the virtuous (especially Brahmins), and generosity—can appear even in a person whose occupation is blameworthy. It invites reflection on how dharma is assessed: not only by social label or livelihood, but also by inner commitments and conduct.
Bhishma introduces a character living in a village: a rich bandit who nonetheless knows the distinctions of the varnas and is described as brahmanya (reverent to Brahmins), satyasandha (true to vows), and devoted to charity. This description sets up a subsequent moral or didactic episode about conduct and righteousness.