Shloka 3

सान्त्व-निति: (Sāntva-Nīti) — The One-Word Principle of Conciliation

Devanagari script

ब॒हस्पतिरुवाच सान्त्वमेकपदं शक्र पुरुष: सम्यगाचरन्‌ । प्रमाणं सर्वभूतानां यशश्वैवाप्रुयान्महत्‌

Transliteration

bṛhaspatir uvāca—sāntvam ekapadaṃ śakra, puruṣaḥ samyag ācaran | pramāṇaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ priyaś caivāpnuyān mahat yaśaḥ ||

Translation

बृहस्पति बोले—हे शक्र (इन्द्र)! ‘सान्त्व’—मधुर, आश्वस्त करने वाली वाणी से किया गया सौम्य मेल—एक ही सरल सिद्धान्त है। जो पुरुष इसका ठीक-ठीक आचरण करता है, वह समस्त प्राणियों का प्रिय, उनके लिए आचरण-प्रमाण, और महान् यश का अधिकारी बनता है।

Word by Word

• {'bṛhaspatiḥ': 'Bṛhaspati

• preceptor of the gods', 'uvāca': 'said', 'sāntvam': 'conciliation

• gentle, sweet speech used to calm and reconcile', 'ekapadam': 'one word/one principle

• a single concise precept', 'śakra': 'Śakra

• Indra', 'puruṣaḥ': 'a man

• a person', 'samyak': 'properly

• in the correct manner', 'ācaran': 'practicing

• conducting oneself', 'pramāṇam': 'a standard

• an exemplar', 'sarvabhūtānām': 'of all beings/creatures', 'priyaḥ': 'dear

• beloved', 'āpnu(y)āt': 'would attain

• would obtain', 'mahat': 'great', 'yaśaḥ': 'fame

Speaker

शक्र उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bṛhaspati
• Śakra (Indra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches that sāntva—gentle conciliation through kind, calming speech—is a concise but powerful ethical practice. One who employs it correctly becomes beloved by all beings, sets a moral example, and gains lasting good fame.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva, Bṛhaspati addresses Śakra (Indra) with counsel. He highlights a practical principle of conduct—using conciliatory, sweet speech—to guide behavior and social harmony.