Shloka 193
Satya–Anṛta Viveka (Discrimination between Truth and Falsehood) | सत्य–अनृत विवेकः
अर्थस्य रक्षणार्थाय परेषां धर्मकारणात् | परंतु प्राण-संकटके समय, विवाहके अवसरपर, दूसरेके धनकी रक्षाके लिये तथा धर्मकी रक्षाके लिये असत्य बोला जा सकता है
arthasya rakṣaṇārthāya pareṣāṃ dharma-kāraṇāt | parantu prāṇa-saṅkaṭake samaye vivāha-ke avasarapar dvitīyasya dhanasya rakṣā-kṛte tathā dharmasya rakṣā-kṛte asatyaṃ vaktuṃ śakyate |
ビーシュマは教える。真実語は第一の務めである。だがダルマは、稀であり、かつ厳しく限られた例外も認める。正当な目的のために財を守らねばならぬとき、ダルマに根ざす他者の安寧が危ういとき、そしてとりわけ死の危難のただ中、婚礼の折、また他人の財産とダルマそのものの完全を護るときには、不実を語ることが許され得る。これは欺きを放任する免罪ではなく、生命とダルマの保持が文字どおりの真実に勝る場合に限る、狭い範囲の容認である。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truth is a major dharma, but dharma is also contextual: in exceptional situations—especially to protect life, preserve another’s rightful property, or safeguard dharma itself—speaking an untruth may be allowed. The permission is narrow and purpose-bound, not a general approval of deception.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on ethical decision-making. He explains how competing duties can arise and how, in rare cases, the higher aim of protecting life and dharma can override strict literal truth-telling.