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
ஸ்ரீபகவான் கூறினார்—எங்கு வேதங்களும் யாகங்களும் நிலைபெற்றுள்ளனவோ, மேலும் தவம், சத்தியம், தமம் (இந்திரியக் கட்டுப்பாடு) ஆகியனவும் உறைவதோ, அதுவே அந்த நாடு.
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).