Shloka 16
अध्वर्यु–यति संवादः
Adhvaryu–Yati Dialogue on Svabhāva, Ahiṃsā, and Mokṣa
अहिंसा सर्वधर्माणामिति वृद्धानुशासनम् | यदिहिंस्रं भवेत् कर्म तत् कार्यमिति विद्यहे,वृद्ध पुरुषोंका यह उपदेश है कि अहिंसा सब धर्मामें श्रेष्ठ है, जो कार्य हिंसासे रहित हो वही करने योग्य है, यही हमारा मत है
ahiṃsā sarvadharmāṇām iti vṛddhānuśāsanam | yad ahiṃsraṃ bhavet karma tat kāryam iti vidmahe ||
O brâmane disse: “Esta é a instrução transmitida pelos anciãos: a não-violência é a primeira entre todas as formas de dharma. Portanto, sustentamos que somente a ação livre de violência é verdadeiramente digna de ser feita.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ahimsa (non-violence) is presented as the highest principle among all dharmas; therefore, actions should be chosen and performed only insofar as they are non-injurious.
A Brahmin speaker cites the authoritative counsel of elders to argue for an ethical standard: the right course of action is the one that avoids violence, framing the discussion around dharma and proper conduct.