Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 1
मांसभक्षण-दोषाः तथा अहिंसाया माहात्म्यम् | Faults of Meat-Consumption and the Supremacy of Ahiṃsā
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके ४ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ३५ श्लोक हैं) अपन प्रात छा अर: त्रयोदशाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: बृहस्पतिजीका युधिष्ठिरको अहिंसा एवं धर्मकी महिमा बताकर स्वर्गलोकको प्रस्थान युधिछिर उवाच अहिंसा वैदिकं कर्म ध्यानमिन्द्रियसंयम: । तपो<थ गुरुशुश्रूषा कि श्रेय: पुरुष प्रति
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca:
ahiṃsā vaidikaṃ karma dhyānam indriya-saṃyamaḥ |
tapo 'tha guru-śuśrūṣā kiṃ śreyaḥ puruṣaṃ prati ||
Wika ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Ang ahiṃsā (di-panliligalig), ang mga gawaing itinakda ng Veda, ang pagninilay, ang pagpipigil sa mga pandama, ang pagtitika (tapas), at ang tapat na paglilingkod sa guro—sa mga ito, alin ang tunay na pinakamataas na kabutihan para sa tao?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic dharma-inquiry: among multiple respected spiritual disciplines—non-violence, Vedic duty, meditation, sense-restraint, austerity, and service to the guru—which most decisively leads to śreyas (the highest good). It sets up a hierarchy or synthesis of practices by asking for the principle that best guides ethical and spiritual life.
Yudhiṣṭhira, seeking clarity on dharma, poses a direct question to the teaching authority in the chapter (contextually connected with instruction on ahiṃsā and dharma). His inquiry opens the discussion that follows, where the merits of these practices are evaluated and related to ultimate welfare.