Shloka 45
गोमूल्यनिर्णयः — The Determination of Value through the Cow
Nahuṣa–Cyavana Episode
आर्यरूपसमाचारं चरन्तं कृतके पथि । सुवर्णमन्यवर्ण वा स्वशीलं शास्ति निश्चये
āryarūpasamācāraṃ carantaṃ kṛtake pathi | suvarṇam anyavarṇaṃ vā svaśīlaṃ śāsti niścaye ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಕೃತಕ ಮಾರ್ಗವನ್ನು ಆಶ್ರಯಿಸಿ ಆರ್ಯರಂತೆ ಆಚಾರವ್ಯವಹಾರ ಮಾಡುವವನು ಬಂಗಾರವೋ ಗಾಜೋ—ಶುದ್ಧ ವರ್ಣದವೋ ಸಂಕರ ವರ್ಣದವೋ? ಈ ಸಂಶಯಕ್ಕೆ ನಿಶ್ಚಯವನ್ನು ಕೊಡುವುದು ಅವನದೇ ಸ್ವಭಾವವೇ.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External refinement or imitation of noble behavior is not the final proof of virtue; a person’s true nature and consistent character are what ultimately disclose whether the goodness is genuine.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma, he explains how to judge a person who appears cultured and righteous: when appearances are uncertain, one should rely on the evidence of enduring character rather than mere outward performance.