Shloka 45
गोमूल्यनिर्णयः — The Determination of Value through the Cow
Nahuṣa–Cyavana Episode
आर्यरूपसमाचारं चरन्तं कृतके पथि । सुवर्णमन्यवर्ण वा स्वशीलं शास्ति निश्चये
āryarūpasamācāraṃ carantaṃ kṛtake pathi | suvarṇam anyavarṇaṃ vā svaśīlaṃ śāsti niścaye ||
ビーシュマは言った。「作り物の道に拠って高貴なる者の作法と振る舞いを真似る者を見れば、人は疑うであろう。彼は真の黄金か、それとも硝子か。血筋は清らかか、混じりものか。だがその疑いを裁くとき、最後に真実を告げるのは、その者自身の性格—定まった気質と一貫した行い—である。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External refinement or imitation of noble behavior is not the final proof of virtue; a person’s true nature and consistent character are what ultimately disclose whether the goodness is genuine.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma, he explains how to judge a person who appears cultured and righteous: when appearances are uncertain, one should rely on the evidence of enduring character rather than mere outward performance.