Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 12
अहिंसयित्वा ब्रह्महत्याविधानम् / Brahmahatyā incurred without physical violence
काश्यप उवाच सर्वे च वेदा: सह षड्भिरज्जैः सांख्यं पुराणं च कुले च जन्म । नैतानि सर्वाणि गतिर्भवन्ति शीलव्यपेतस्य नृप द्विजस्य
kāśyapa uvāca
sarve ca vedāḥ saha ṣaḍbhir aṅgaiḥ sāṅkhyaṃ purāṇaṃ ca kule ca janma |
naitāni sarvāṇi gatir bhavanti śīla-vyapetasya nṛpa dvijasya ||
Sinabi ni Kasyapa: “O hari, kahit taglayin ng isang Brahman ang lahat ng Veda kasama ang anim na sangay nito, pati ang kaalaman sa Sankhya at sa mga Purana, at kahit isinilang pa siya sa marangal na angkan—hindi pa rin magiging daan tungo sa mas mataas na hantungan ang lahat ng iyon para sa taong salat sa mabuting asal.”
काश्यप उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical character (śīla) is presented as the decisive factor for attaining a higher goal (gati). Scriptural learning, philosophical knowledge, traditional lore, and even noble birth are insufficient if a person lacks good conduct.
Kāśyapa addresses a king and delivers a moral instruction: he contrasts external credentials—learning and lineage—with inner virtue, warning that a dvija who is bereft of śīla gains no superior spiritual outcome despite such attainments.