Shloka 27
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
ज्ञानपूर्वकृतं पापं छादयत्यबहुश्रुत: । नैनं मनुष्या: पश्यन्ति पश्यन्त्येव दिवौकस:,मूर्ख मनुष्य ही जान-बूझकर किये हुए पापको छिपाता है। यद्यपि उस पापको मनुष्य नहीं देखते हैं, तो भी देवतालोग तो देखते ही हैं
jñānapūrvakṛtaṃ pāpaṃ chādayaty abahuśrutaḥ | nainaṃ manuṣyāḥ paśyanti paśyanty eva divaukasaḥ ||
ज्ञानपूर्वकृतं पापं छादयत्यबहुश्रुतः । नैनं मनुष्याः पश्यन्ति पश्यन्त्येव दिवौकसः ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Deliberate wrongdoing may be concealed from society, but it remains morally real and is seen by higher witnesses (the gods). The verse warns against relying on secrecy and emphasizes accountability beyond human surveillance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and conduct, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira by highlighting that a person of poor discernment tries to hide intentional sin, yet divine beings perceive it even when humans do not.