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,“सबको अपने-अपने प्राण प्यारे होते हैं और सभी दूसरोंसे स्नेह पाते हैं। पशु-पक्षीकी योनिमें भी जो प्राणी रहते हैं, उनका अपनी संतानोंपर कैसा प्रेम है, इसे देखो
sarvasya dayitāḥ prāṇāḥ sarvaḥ snehaṃ ca vindati | tiryagyonīṣv api satāṃ snehaṃ paśyata yādṛśam ||
सर्वस्य दयिताः प्राणाः सर्वः स्नेहं च विन्दति । तिर्यग्योनिष्वपि सतां स्नेहं पश्यत यादृशम् ॥
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.