Shloka 31

Śreyas-nirdeśa (Discerning the Superior Good): Nārada–Gālava Saṃvāda

Devanagari script

शान्तियज्ञरतो दान्तो ब्रह्मयज्ञे स्थितो मुनि:

Transliteration

śāntiyajñarato dānto brahmayajñe sthito muniḥ

Translation

భీష్ముడు అన్నాడు—“శాంతి-యజ్ఞంలో నిమగ్నుడై, ఇంద్రియనిగ్రహంతో శాసనబద్ధుడైన ముని బ్రహ్మ-యజ్ఞంలో స్థితుడై ఉంటాడు—స్వాధ్యాయం, అంతఃపూజలలో స్థిరుడై, బాహ్య కలహానికి దూరంగా.”

Word by Word

• शान्ति-यज्ञ-रतः: engaged in the peace-sacrifice
• शान्ति-यज्ञ-रतः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• दान्तः: self-controlled
• दान्तः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ब्रह्म-यज्ञे: in the Brahma-sacrifice (study/recitation of Veda)
• ब्रह्म-यज्ञे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• स्थितः: standing/abiding
• स्थितः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• मुनिः: the sage
• मुनिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• muni (a sage)
• śānti-yajña
• brahma-yajña

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

True dharma is supported by inner discipline: a sage cultivates peace (śānti) as a ‘sacrifice’ and remains grounded in brahma-yajña—reverent study and contemplation—showing that ethical life is sustained by self-control and sacred learning.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma after the war. Here he characterizes the ideal muni: one who prioritizes pacification and restraint, and who abides in the Vedic duty of brahma-yajña rather than being drawn into agitation or conflict.