Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 15
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
यस्तु बुद्ध: स्वधर्मेण ज्ञानविज्ञानवान् शुचि: । धर्मज्ञो धर्मनिरत: स धर्मफलमश्चुते
yastu buddhaḥ svadharmeṇa jñānavijñānavān śuciḥ | dharmajño dharmanirataḥ sa dharmaphalam aśnute ||
Sinabi ni Maheshvara: Ang taong, habang tapat na tinutupad ang sariling svadharma, ay nakakamit ang tunay na paggising—puspos ng kaalaman at natamong pag-unawa, dalisay sa asal, batid ang dharma at matatag na nakatuon dito—siya lamang ang tunay na nakikinabang sa wagas na bunga ng dharma.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True benefit from dharma comes not merely from outward observance, but from practicing one’s own duty with inner awakening, purity, right understanding, and steady commitment—uniting jñāna (knowledge) with vijñāna (realized insight).
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Maheśvara delivers a doctrinal statement defining who genuinely attains the ‘fruit of dharma’: the person who follows svadharma and becomes awakened, pure, dharma-knowing, and devoted to righteous practice.