Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 18
वेद: प्रत्यक्षमाचार: प्रमाणं तत्त्रयं यदि । पृथक्त्वं लभ्यते चैषां धर्मश्चैकस्त्रयं कथम्
vedaḥ pratyakṣam ācāraḥ pramāṇaṃ tat trayaṃ yadi | pṛthaktvaṃ labhyate caiṣāṃ dharmaś caikaḥ trayaṃ katham ||
ವೇದ, ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷ, ಮತ್ತು ಶಿಷ್ಟಾಚಾರ—ಈ ಮೂರು ಪ್ರಮಾಣಗಳೆಂದು ಒಪ್ಪಿದರೆ, ಅವು ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕವಾಗಿ ಲಭ್ಯವಾಗುತ್ತವೆ; ಆದರೆ ಧರ್ಮ ಒಂದೇ. ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ಧರ್ಮನಿರ್ಣಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಮೂರು ಹೇಗೆ (ಸಮಾನವಾಗಿ ನಿರ್ಣಾಯಕ) ಆಗಬಹುದು?
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic problem in dharma-śāstra: multiple pramāṇas—scripture (Veda), direct experience (pratyakṣa), and the normative conduct of the cultured (ācāra)—are cited as authorities, yet dharma is ultimately one. The question presses for a principle of reconciliation when these sources appear distinct or potentially conflicting.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Yudhiṣṭhira raises a philosophical doubt to the teacher: if three different authorities are admitted for knowing dharma, and each is independently accessible, how can they jointly define a single dharma? He seeks clarification on hierarchy, harmony, or interpretive method among these sources.