Jñāna-plava (The Raft of Knowledge): Svabhāva, Prajñā, and the Ascent to Ātmajñāna
निन्दाप्रशंसे चात्यर्थ न वदन्ति परस्य ये । न च निन्दाप्रशंसाभ्यां विक्रियन्ते कदाचन
nindāpraśaṃse cātyarthaṃ na vadanti parasya ye | na ca nindāpraśaṃsābhyāṃ vikriyante kadācana ||
Mereka yang tidak melontarkan celaan atau pujian berlebihan tentang orang lain—dan yang batinnya tak pernah terusik oleh cemooh maupun sanjungan yang ditujukan kepada dirinya—tetap teguh dalam watak.
जैगीषव्य उवाच
Do not indulge in extreme criticism or flattery of others, and do not let praise or blame directed at you disturb the mind; steadiness and restraint are marks of ethical maturity.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and inner discipline, Jaigiṣavya describes the conduct of the self-possessed: measured speech about others and unwavering composure when judged by society.