Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 18
वेद: प्रत्यक्षमाचार: प्रमाणं तत्त्रयं यदि । पृथक्त्वं लभ्यते चैषां धर्मश्चैकस्त्रयं कथम्
vedaḥ pratyakṣam ācāraḥ pramāṇaṃ tat trayaṃ yadi | pṛthaktvaṃ labhyate caiṣāṃ dharmaś caikaḥ trayaṃ katham ||
यदि वेद, प्रत्यक्ष और शिष्टाचार—ये तीनों प्रमाण माने जाते हैं, तो ये तो अलग-अलग रूप से उपलब्ध होते हैं; जबकि धर्म एक है। फिर धर्म के विषय में ये तीनों कैसे (समान रूप से निर्णायक) हो सकते हैं?
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic problem in dharma-śāstra: multiple pramāṇas—scripture (Veda), direct experience (pratyakṣa), and the normative conduct of the cultured (ācāra)—are cited as authorities, yet dharma is ultimately one. The question presses for a principle of reconciliation when these sources appear distinct or potentially conflicting.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Yudhiṣṭhira raises a philosophical doubt to the teacher: if three different authorities are admitted for knowing dharma, and each is independently accessible, how can they jointly define a single dharma? He seeks clarification on hierarchy, harmony, or interpretive method among these sources.