Shloka 9
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
आचारलक्षणो धर्म: संतश्षारित्रलक्षणा: । साधूनां च यथावृत्तमेतदाचारलक्षणम्
Bhīṣma uvāca: ācāra-lakṣaṇo dharmaḥ, santaś cāritra-lakṣaṇāḥ | sādhūnāṃ ca yathā-vṛttam etad ācāra-lakṣaṇam ||
ビーシュマは言った。「ダルマは正しき行い（ācāra）によって識別される。徳ある者はその善き品性によって知られる。善人にして自制ある者が日々の生において実際に行うこと—その生きられた振る舞いこそが『正しい行い』であり、ダルマのしるしである。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is not merely a theory or rulebook; it is identified through ācāra—lived, disciplined right conduct. The reliable indicator of what is righteous is the consistent behavior and character of truly virtuous people.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is teaching Yudhiṣṭhira by defining dharma through observable standards: the conduct and character of the saintly and well-disciplined.