Shloka 8
Sanatsujāta–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Saṃvāda: Brahmacarya and the Formless Brahman
Udyoga Parva 44
सद् वासद् वा परीवादो ब्राह्मणस्य न शस्यते । नरकप्रतिष्ठास्ते वै स्युर्य एवं कुर्वते जना:
sad vā asad vā parīvādo brāhmaṇasya na śasyate | naraka-pratiṣṭhās te vai syur ye evaṁ kurvate janāḥ ||
Sanatsujāta mengajarkan bahawa sama ada khabar itu benar atau palsu, mencela orang lain tidaklah layak bagi seorang brāhmaṇa. Mereka yang gemar mencari-cari salah dan memfitnah pasti menegakkan diri di jalan menuju neraka.
सनत्युजात उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even if something is factually true, indulging in disparagement (parīvāda) is not commendable—especially for one committed to disciplined, dharmic conduct. Slander and fault-finding corrupt speech and character and lead to grave karmic consequences.
In the Sanatsujātīya section of the Udyoga Parva, Sanatsujāta instructs (in a didactic dialogue) on dharma and inner discipline. Here he specifically warns against the moral danger of speaking ill of others, linking it to downfall and suffering.