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Shloka 22

Ahiṃsā as Threefold Restraint (Mind–Speech–Action) and the Ethics of Consumption

प्राणिनामिह सर्वेषां साक्षिभूता निशानिशम्‌

prāṇinām iha sarveṣāṁ sākṣibhūtā niśāniśam

ユディシュティラは言った。「この世において、あらゆる生きとし生けるものには、昼も夜も絶えず証人として立つものがある。」

प्राणिनाम्of living beings
प्राणिनाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootप्राणिन्
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
इहhere (in this world)
इह:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइह
सर्वेषाम्of all
सर्वेषाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootसर्व
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural
साक्षिभूताhaving become a witness; witness-like
साक्षिभूता:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootसाक्षिभूत
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
निशा-निशम्night after night; continually
निशा-निशम्:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootनिशा + निशम्

युधिछिर उवाच

Y
Yudhiṣṭhira
P
prāṇinaḥ (living beings)

Educational Q&A

That moral life is lived under constant witnessing: one’s actions are never truly hidden, because an ever-present witness (often understood as conscience, dharma, or the indwelling Self) observes all beings at all times, urging accountability and restraint.

In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks in a reflective, ethical register, framing a point about conduct by invoking the idea of an unceasing witness over all creatures—preparing the ground for guidance on right and wrong action.