Shloka 20
Śīla-prāpti and Śīla-lakṣaṇa (शीलप्राप्ति-शीललक्षणम्) | On the Acquisition and Marks of Character
अन्रैतदाहुराचार्या: पापस्य परिगर्हणम् | सेवितव्या त्रयी विद्या सत्कारो ब्राह्मणेषु च
anṛtaid āhur ācāryāḥ pāpasya parigarhāṇam | sevitavyā trayī vidyā satkāro brāhmaṇeṣu ca ||
ଏ ବିଷୟରେ ଆଚାର୍ଯ୍ୟମାନେ କହନ୍ତି—ମନୁଷ୍ୟ ନିଜ ପାପକୁ ନିନ୍ଦା କରି ତାହାକୁ ତ୍ୟାଗ କରୁ; ନିରନ୍ତର ସ୍ୱାଧ୍ୟାୟ ଦ୍ୱାରା ତ୍ରୟୀ-ବିଦ୍ୟାର ସେବନ କରୁ; ଏବଂ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣମାନଙ୍କୁ ଯଥୋଚିତ ସତ୍କାର କରୁ।
कामन्दक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse prescribes a threefold ethical remedy: (1) acknowledge and condemn one’s own wrongdoing rather than excuse it, (2) pursue sustained Vedic learning through disciplined study, and (3) uphold social-religious order by honoring Brahmins—together forming a path of moral correction and dharmic restoration.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction-oriented setting, Kāmandaka cites the authority of ācāryas (teachers) to lay down what should be done in such a situation: repentance/repudiation of sin, continued sacred study, and respectful conduct toward Brahmins.