Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 18
वेद: प्रत्यक्षमाचार: प्रमाणं तत्त्रयं यदि । पृथक्त्वं लभ्यते चैषां धर्मश्चैकस्त्रयं कथम्
vedaḥ pratyakṣam ācāraḥ pramāṇaṃ tat trayaṃ yadi | pṛthaktvaṃ labhyate caiṣāṃ dharmaś caikaḥ trayaṃ katham ||
ਜੇ ਵੇਦ, ਪ੍ਰਤੱਖ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਿਸ਼ਟਾਚਾਰ—ਇਹ ਤਿੰਨੇ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਣ ਮੰਨੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਤਾਂ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ; ਪਰ ਧਰਮ ਇੱਕ ਹੈ। ਫਿਰ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਨਿਰਣੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਤਿੰਨੇ ਕਿਵੇਂ (ਬਰਾਬਰ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਨਿਰਣਾਇਕ) ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ?
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic problem in dharma-śāstra: multiple pramāṇas—scripture (Veda), direct experience (pratyakṣa), and the normative conduct of the cultured (ācāra)—are cited as authorities, yet dharma is ultimately one. The question presses for a principle of reconciliation when these sources appear distinct or potentially conflicting.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Yudhiṣṭhira raises a philosophical doubt to the teacher: if three different authorities are admitted for knowing dharma, and each is independently accessible, how can they jointly define a single dharma? He seeks clarification on hierarchy, harmony, or interpretive method among these sources.