Shloka 29
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
सर्वस्य दयिता: प्राणा: सर्व: स्नेहं च विन्दति । तिर्यग्योनिष्वपि सतां स्नेह पश्यत यादृशम्
sarvasya dayitāḥ prāṇāḥ sarvaḥ snehaṃ ca vindati | tiryagyonīṣv api satāṃ snehaṃ paśyata yādṛśam ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Para todo ser, o próprio sopro de vida é querido; e toda criatura, por sua vez, encontra afeto nos outros. Vede até entre animais e aves—quão profundo é o amor que os seres vivos demonstram por sua prole.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights a universal ethical insight: every being cherishes its own life, and affection—especially parental love—arises naturally across all species. Recognizing this commonality supports compassion and restraint in conduct toward others.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction, Bhīṣma is teaching about right conduct by appealing to an observable truth from nature: even animals and birds display strong love for their young, so humans should understand the value of life and cultivate empathy.