Shloka 22
Ahiṃsā as Threefold Restraint (Mind–Speech–Action) and the Ethics of Consumption
प्राणिनामिह सर्वेषां साक्षिभूता निशानिशम्
prāṇinām iha sarveṣāṁ sākṣibhūtā niśāniśam
యుధిష్ఠిరుడు అన్నాడు—ఈ లోకంలో సమస్త ప్రాణులకు దినమునూ రాత్రియునూ నిరంతరం సాక్షిగా నిలిచేది ఒకటి ఉంది.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
That moral life is lived under constant witnessing: one’s actions are never truly hidden, because an ever-present witness (often understood as conscience, dharma, or the indwelling Self) observes all beings at all times, urging accountability and restraint.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks in a reflective, ethical register, framing a point about conduct by invoking the idea of an unceasing witness over all creatures—preparing the ground for guidance on right and wrong action.