Shloka 23
Śīla-prāpti and Śīla-lakṣaṇa (शीलप्राप्ति-शीललक्षणम्) | On the Acquisition and Marks of Character
प्रसादयेन्मधुरया वाचा वाप्यथ कर्मणा । तवास्मीति ददेन्नित्यं परेषां कीर्तयन् गुणान्
prasādayen madhurayā vācā vāpy atha karmaṇā | tavāsmīti daden nityaṁ pareṣāṁ kīrtayan guṇān |
Kāmandaka berkata: “Seseorang hendaklah memenangi hati manusia—sama ada dengan tutur kata yang manis atau dengan perbuatan yang mulia. Hendaklah sentiasa memberi jaminan, ‘Aku milikmu,’ sambil memuji sifat-sifat baik orang lain.”
कामन्दक उवाच
Educational Q&A
To maintain harmony and influence others ethically: please people through gentle speech or good deeds, affirm loyalty (“I am yours”), and openly praise others’ virtues rather than seeking dominance through harshness.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on right conduct (nīti/dharma), Kāmandaka gives practical counsel on how one should relate to others—using sweetness in words, excellence in action, and appreciative recognition of others’ good qualities.