Shloka 13
Kāpavya-carita (कापव्यचरित) — Reforming Dasyus through Regulated Rāja-Dharma
असतां शीलमेतद् वै परिवादो5थ पैशुनम् । गुणानामेव वक्तार: सन्त: सत्सु नराधिप,नरेश्वर! दूसरोंकी निन्दा करना या चुगली खाना यह दुष्टोंका स्वभाव ही होता है। श्रेष्ठ पुरुष तो सज्जनोंके समीप दूसरोंके गुण ही गाया करते हैं
asatāṃ śīlam etad vai parivādo ’tha paiśunam | guṇānām eva vaktāraḥ santaḥ satsu narādhipa naraśvara ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai raja, wahai tuan manusia, fitnah dan mengumpat di belakang memang tabiat orang jahat. Adapun orang baik, apabila berada di kalangan orang baik, mereka hanya menyebut kebajikan orang lain.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Slander and backbiting are marks of a corrupt character, whereas the virtuous cultivate speech that highlights others’ good qualities—especially in the presence of the good.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma advises King Yudhishthira on ethical behavior, here focusing specifically on the moral discipline of speech and the influence of good company.