Shloka 4
Aśvatthāmā’s Buddhi-Doctrine and Nocturnal Incursion Resolve (अश्वत्थाम्नः बुद्धिविचारः सौप्तिकसंकल्पश्च)
सर्वो हि मन्यते लोक आत्मानं बुद्धिमत्तरम् । सर्वस्यात्मा बहुमत: सर्वात्मानं प्रशंसति
sarvo hi manyate loka ātmānaṃ buddhimattaram | sarvasyātmā bahumataḥ sarvātmānaṃ praśaṃsati ||
सर्वो हि मन्यते लोक आत्मानं बुद्धिमत्तरम्। सर्वस्यात्मा बहुमतः सर्व आत्मानं प्रशंसति॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a common ethical weakness: self-preference and pride. People tend to overestimate their own wisdom and value themselves most, which leads them to praise themselves rather than judge impartially. It cautions against ego-driven judgment, especially in morally charged situations.
Sañjaya offers a general observation about human nature—how people typically consider themselves wiser than others and praise themselves. In the Sauptika Parva’s grim aftermath of war, this functions as a reflective comment that frames motives and decisions as susceptible to ego and self-justification.