Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 155
ज्येष्ठ-कनिष्ठ-धर्मः — Duties of Elders and Juniors
Anuśāsana-parva 108
आगगमानां हि सर्वेषामाचार: श्रेष्ठ उच्यते । आचारप्रभवो धर्मों धर्मादायुर्विवर्धते,सम्पूर्ण आगमोंमें सदाचार ही श्रेष्ठ बतलाया जाता है। सदाचारसे धर्मकी उत्पत्ति होती है और धर्मसे आयु बढ़ती है
āgamagamānāṁ hi sarveṣām ācāraḥ śreṣṭha ucyate | ācāra-prabhavo dharmo dharmād āyur vivardhate ||
Di antara semua ajaran otoritatif dan tradisi suci, perilaku benar dinyatakan paling utama. Dari perilaku benar lahir dharma, dan dari dharma usia pun bertambah.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that ethical conduct (ācāra) is the highest standard even among scriptural authorities; it is the practical source of dharma, and living in dharma supports and extends one’s life.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma, emphasizing that lived good conduct is superior to mere textual knowledge and is foundational for righteous living.