Shloka 69
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
तुलामारोपितो धर्म: सत्यं चैवेति न: श्रुतम् । समकक्षां तुलयतो यतः सत्यं ततोडधिकम्,मैंने सुना है कि किसी समय धर्म और सत्यको तराजूपर, जिसके दोनों पलड़े बराबर थे, रखा और तौला गया; उस समय जिस ओर सत्य था, उधरका ही पलड़ा भारी हुआ
tulām āropito dharmaḥ satyaṃ caiveti naḥ śrutam | samakakṣāṃ tulayato yataḥ satyaṃ tato 'dhikam ||
आम्ही ऐकले आहे—एकदा धर्म आणि सत्य यांना समतोल तराजूच्या दोन पलड्यांवर ठेवून तोलले; तेव्हा ज्या बाजूस सत्य होते तोच पलडा अधिक जड ठरला.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts a hierarchy of virtues: satya (truth) is presented as weightier—more decisive and foundational—than dharma in general. It implies that truthfulness is not merely one duty among others but a principle that gives moral weight and legitimacy to dharma itself.
A Brahmin speaker cites a traditional illustration: Dharma and Truth are imagined as being weighed on an evenly balanced scale. The side with Truth becomes heavier, using a vivid image to teach that truth prevails as the stronger ethical force.