Shloka 22
Dāyavibhāga (Inheritance Apportionment) and Household Precedence — Dialogue of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīṣma
भीष्मजीने कहा--भारत! मनुष्योंके हितसे सम्बन्ध रखनेवाला जो कोई भी कर्म है
bhīṣma uvāca | bhāryā patyṛtvijācāryāḥ śiṣyopādhyāya eva ca | mṛṣokte daṇḍam arhanti nety āhur apare janāḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai Bharata! Segala tindakan yang berkaitan dengan kesejahteraan manusia dipandang demi tegaknya tatanan. Ketika semua orang bijaksana berkumpul dan menetapkan, ‘Gadis ini patut diberikan kepada pria itu,’ maka ketetapan itulah yang memutuskan pernikahan. Barangsiapa dengan dusta membalikkan ketetapan tersebut, ia menjadi penanggung dosa. Istri, suami, pendeta yajña (ṛtvij), guru (ācārya), murid, dan pengajar (upādhyāya)—bila mereka pun berkata bohong melawan ketetapan itu, menurut sebagian orang mereka layak dihukum; namun sebagian yang lain berpendapat mereka tidak patut dihukum karenanya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
False speech is ethically serious because it disrupts dharma and social arrangements meant for human welfare; therefore even socially respected roles (spouses, priests, teachers, students) can be liable to punishment for lying—though Bhishma notes that some authorities dispute this liability.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma, he discusses accountability for speech and conduct. He lists key social and religious roles and states that if they lie, they deserve punishment, while also recording an alternative opinion that exempts them.