Shloka 27
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
ज्ञानपूर्वकृतं पापं छादयत्यबहुश्रुत: । नैनं मनुष्या: पश्यन्ति पश्यन्त्येव दिवौकस:
jñānapūrvakṛtaṃ pāpaṃ chādayaty abahuśrutaḥ | nainaṃ manuṣyāḥ paśyanti paśyanty eva divaukasaḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「知りながら犯した罪を隠そうとするのは、愚かで学の浅い者である。たとえ人々の目に触れずとも、天界に住まう神々は必ずそれを見ている。この教えが示すのは、故意の罪は真に隠しおおせぬこと、そして道義の責めは人の観察を超えて及ぶということである。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Deliberate wrongdoing may be concealed from society, but it remains morally real and is seen by higher witnesses (the gods). The verse warns against relying on secrecy and emphasizes accountability beyond human surveillance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and conduct, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira by highlighting that a person of poor discernment tries to hide intentional sin, yet divine beings perceive it even when humans do not.