Shloka 20
Brahmopadeśa: Adhipatitva-kathana, Dharma-lakṣaṇa, and Kṣetra–Kṣetrajña Viveka
Book 14, Chapter 43
अत ऊर्ध्व॑ प्रवक्ष्यामि नियतं धर्मलक्षणम्
ata ūrdhvaṁ pravakṣyāmi niyataṁ dharma-lakṣaṇam | ahiṁsā sarva-śreṣṭho dharmaḥ hiṁsā cādharmalakṣaṇam | prakāśo devatānāṁ lakṣaṇaṁ yajñādi-karma manuṣyāṇāṁ lakṣaṇam ||
風神ヴァーユは言った。「いま、ダルマを知るために定められた確かな徴を説こう。不害（アヒンサー）は最上のダルマであり、暴力はアダルマの決定的な徴である。光輝は神々の特質であり、供犠（ヤジュニャ）ならびにそれに連なる儀礼の行いは、人間の特質である。」
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines dharma by its distinguishing marks: ahiṁsā (non-violence) is upheld as the supreme form of dharma, while hiṁsā (violence) is identified as the hallmark of adharma. It also contrasts divine and human spheres: gods are characterized by radiance, whereas humans are characterized by performing yajña and related prescribed rites.
Vāyudeva is speaking as a moral instructor, announcing that he will set forth an authoritative description of dharma’s defining characteristics. The statement functions as a doctrinal clarification within the Ashvamedhika Parva’s broader post-war ethical and religious reflections.