Mahabharata 1.76.16 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 76, Shloka 16
ययाति–देवयानी संवादः
Yayāti–Devayānī Dialogue and Śukra’s Consent
शीलदाक्षिण्यमाधुर्यराचारेण दमेन च । देवयान्यां हि तुष्टायां विद्यां तां प्राप्स्यसि ध्रुवम्
śīla-dākṣiṇya-mādhuryair ācāreṇa damena ca | devayānyāṃ hi tuṣṭāyāṃ vidyāṃ tāṃ prāpsyasi dhruvam ||
शीलदाक्षिण्यमाधुर्यराचारेण दमेन च । देवयान्यां हि तुष्टायां विद्यां तां प्राप्स्यसि ध्रुवम् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Knowledge is attained securely through ethical qualities—good character, generosity, gentle behavior, proper conduct, and self-restraint—especially by winning the sincere goodwill of the person who bestows or mediates that knowledge.
Vaiśampāyana states that if Devayānī is pleased by one’s virtuous conduct and self-control, the seeker will certainly receive the intended vidyā, indicating that access to instruction depends on moral comportment and relational trust.
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