Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 18
वेद: प्रत्यक्षमाचार: प्रमाणं तत्त्रयं यदि । पृथक्त्वं लभ्यते चैषां धर्मश्चैकस्त्रयं कथम्
vedaḥ pratyakṣam ācāraḥ pramāṇaṃ tat trayaṃ yadi | pṛthaktvaṃ labhyate caiṣāṃ dharmaś caikaḥ trayaṃ katham ||
Sabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Kung ang Veda, ang tuwirang pagdama, at ang ācāra (ang gawi ng mga may pinag-aralan) ay pawang tinatanggap na mga pramāṇa, kung gayon ang bawat isa’y natatamo nang magkakahiwalay. Ngunit iisa ang dharma. Paano, kung gayon, maituturing na dharma ang tatlong ito (o na magkakapantay silang mapagpasya para sa dharma)?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic problem in dharma-śāstra: multiple pramāṇas—scripture (Veda), direct experience (pratyakṣa), and the normative conduct of the cultured (ācāra)—are cited as authorities, yet dharma is ultimately one. The question presses for a principle of reconciliation when these sources appear distinct or potentially conflicting.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Yudhiṣṭhira raises a philosophical doubt to the teacher: if three different authorities are admitted for knowing dharma, and each is independently accessible, how can they jointly define a single dharma? He seeks clarification on hierarchy, harmony, or interpretive method among these sources.