Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 66
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
अद्रोह: सर्वभूतेषु कर्मणा मनसा गिरा । अनुग्रहश्च दानं च शीलमेतत् प्रशस्यते
adrohaḥ sarvabhūteṣu karmaṇā manasā girā | anugrahaś ca dānaṃ ca śīlam etat praśasyate ||
कर्माने, मनाने आणि वाणीने कोणत्याही प्राण्याशी द्रोह न करणे; सर्वांवर अनुग्रह/दया ठेवणे; आणि यथाशक्ती दान देणे—हेच शील होय, ज्याची सर्वत्र प्रशंसा होते.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
True śīla (good character) is defined as non-malice toward all beings expressed consistently in three channels—actions, thoughts, and speech—together with compassion and charitable giving.
Within the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Dhṛtarāṣṭra articulates a concise ethical standard, emphasizing inner intention and outward behavior as a unified measure of virtue.