Shloka 8
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
सर्वे प्रत्यक्षर्माणो जितक्रोधा जितेन्द्रिया: । दमे स्थिताश्न सर्वे ते हिंसादम्भविवर्जिता:,वे सब-के-सब प्रत्यक्ष धर्मका पालन करनेवाले, क्रोध-विजयी, जितेन्द्रिय, मनोनिग्रहपरायण, हिंसा और दम्भसे रहित तथा सदा शुद्ध सदाचारमें स्थित रहनेवाले थे। उन्हें किसी भी इन्द्रियके द्वारा कभी बाधा नहीं पहुँचती थी। ऐसे-ऐसे महर्षि वह यज्ञ करानेके लिये वहाँ उपस्थित थे
sarve pratyakṣa-dharmāṇo jitakrodhā jitendriyāḥ | dame sthitāś ca sarve te hiṃsā-dambha-vivarjitāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: All of them were manifest practitioners of dharma—having conquered anger, mastered their senses, and established in self-restraint. Free from violence and hypocrisy, they stood ever firm in pure conduct. Such great seers were present there to officiate at the sacrifice.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma is recognized through lived conduct: conquering anger, mastering the senses, practicing restraint (dama), and avoiding both violence and hypocritical display. Ethical purity is presented as the qualification for guiding sacred public rites.
Vaiśampāyana describes the assembly of eminent sages who have gathered to officiate at the sacrifice. Their moral and ascetic qualities are highlighted to establish the ritual’s legitimacy and sanctity.