Shloka 19
Manoḥ Carita
The Account of Manu Vaivasvata and the Mātsyaka Flood Narrative
यद् ब्राह्मणानां कुशलं तदेषां कथयामहे । नैषां दुश्चरितं ब्रूमस्तस्मान्मृत्युभयं न न:,'ब्राह्मणोंके जो शुभ कर्म हैं, उन्हींकी हम चर्चा करते हैं। उनके दोषोंका बखान नहीं करते हैं। इसलिये हमें मृत्युसे भय नहीं है। हम अतिथियोंको अन्न और जलसे तृप्त करते हैं। हमारे ऊपर जिनके भरण-पोषणका भार है, उन्हें हम पूरा भोजन देते हैं और उन्हें भोजन करानेसे बचा हुआ अन्न हम स्वयं भोजन करते हैं, अतः हमें मृत्युसे भय नहीं है
yad brāhmaṇānāṁ kuśalaṁ tad eṣāṁ kathayāmahe | naiṣāṁ duścaritaṁ brūmas tasmān mṛtyu-bhayaṁ na naḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “We speak only of what is auspicious and commendable in the brāhmaṇas; we do not proclaim their misdeeds. Therefore, we have no fear of death.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches restraint and ethical responsibility in speech: one should highlight others’ virtues and avoid publicizing their faults, especially regarding revered communities like brāhmaṇas. Such disciplined speech is presented as a dharmic practice that supports inner fearlessness.
Mārkaṇḍeya is speaking and explains a principle of conduct: they choose to speak of the brāhmaṇas’ auspicious qualities and refrain from describing their misdeeds, and on that basis he declares freedom from fear of death.