Shloka 31
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
मानसं सर्वभूतानां धर्ममाहुर्मनीषिण: । तस्मात् सर्वेषु भूतेषु मनसा शिवमाचरेत्
mānasaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ dharmam āhur manīṣiṇaḥ | tasmāt sarveṣu bhūteṣu manasā śivam ācaret ||
Bhishma berkata: Para bijak menyatakan bahwa bagi semua makhluk, dharma yang dilakukan melalui batin adalah yang tertinggi. Karena itu, terhadap setiap makhluk, lakukanlah kebajikan dalam pikiran—senantiasa menghendaki kesejahteraan mereka.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma begins internally: the mind should be trained to hold goodwill toward all beings. Even before speech or action, benevolent intention (śiva) directed to everyone is presented as a superior, foundational form of righteousness.
In the Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and right conduct after the war. Here he emphasizes inner ethics—cultivating universal goodwill in thought—as a key element of righteous living.