Shloka 88
Atithi-prāpti and the Brāhmaṇa’s Deliberation on Triadic Dharma (अतिथिप्राप्तिः धर्मत्रयविचारश्च)
श्रीभगवानुवाच यत्र वेदाश्न यज्ञाश्न॒ तप: सत्यं दमस्तथा
śrībhagavān uvāca yatra vedāś ca yajñāś ca tapaḥ satyaṃ damas tathā
श्रीभगवानुवाच—यत्र वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च प्रतिष्ठिताः, तपः सत्यं दमश्च तथा निवसन्ति, स एव देशः।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines a dharmic ideal: a truly worthy realm or state of life is characterized by reverence for sacred knowledge (Vedas), performance of rightful duties (yajña), and inner virtues—discipline (tapas), truthfulness (satya), and self-restraint (dama).
Within the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, the speaker presents a description of the qualities that mark an elevated condition—emphasizing both outward religious duty (Vedic learning and sacrifice) and inward moral cultivation (austerity, truth, and restraint).