Shloka 45
गोमूल्यनिर्णयः — The Determination of Value through the Cow
Nahuṣa–Cyavana Episode
आर्यरूपसमाचारं चरन्तं कृतके पथि । सुवर्णमन्यवर्ण वा स्वशीलं शास्ति निश्चये
āryarūpasamācāraṃ carantaṃ kṛtake pathi | suvarṇam anyavarṇaṃ vā svaśīlaṃ śāsti niścaye ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Kapag ang isang tao ay kumakapit sa artipisyal na landas at ginagaya ang asal at pagkamagalang ng mga mararangal, mapapaisip ang iba kung siya ba’y tunay na ginto o salamin lamang—dalisay ba ang angkan o halo. Ngunit sa paghatol sa ganitong alinlangan, ang sariling pagkatao niya—ang matatag na ugali at palagiang kilos—ang siyang nagbubunyag ng katotohanan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External refinement or imitation of noble behavior is not the final proof of virtue; a person’s true nature and consistent character are what ultimately disclose whether the goodness is genuine.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma, he explains how to judge a person who appears cultured and righteous: when appearances are uncertain, one should rely on the evidence of enduring character rather than mere outward performance.