Shloka 30
Skanda-janma: Śivā/Svāhā, Agni, and the Manifestation of Guha
Mahābhārata 3.214
आनुृ्शंस्य॑ं परो धर्म: क्षमा च परमं बलम् | आत्मज्ञानं परं ज्ञानं सत्यं व्रतपरं ब्रतम्,क्रूरताका अभाव (दया) सबसे महान धर्म है, क्षमा सबसे बड़ा बल है, सत्य सबसे उत्तम व्रत है और परमात्माके तत्त्वका ज्ञान ही सर्वोत्तम ज्ञान है
ānṛśaṁsyaṁ paro dharmaḥ kṣamā ca paramaṁ balam | ātmajñānaṁ paraṁ jñānaṁ satyaṁ vrataparaṁ vratam ||
狩人は言った。「慈悲と残酷を離れることこそ最上のダルマであり、赦しは最大の力である。アートマン（真我）を知ることは至上の知であり、真実を守ることは諸誓願のうち最も高い誓いである。」
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse ranks key virtues: compassion (non-cruelty) as the highest dharma, forgiveness as true strength, self-knowledge as the highest wisdom, and truthfulness as the supreme vow—presenting an ethical hierarchy grounded in inner mastery rather than outward power.
In the Vana Parva’s dialogue associated with the righteous hunter (vyādha), he instructs a seeker on what truly constitutes dharma, emphasizing everyday moral conduct and inner realization over mere external status or ritual display.