Shloka 54
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
“महाराज! जब उसके द्वारा ऐसा कर्म किया जा सकता है, तब वह और क्या नहीं कर सकता? स्वामीने पहले उसके बारेमें जैसा सुन रक््खा है, वह वैसा नहीं है ।।
vāṅmātreṇaiva dharmiṣṭhaḥ svabhāvena tu dāruṇaḥ | dharmacchadmā hy ayaṃ pāpo vṛthācāra-parigrahaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O Hari! Kung nagawa niyang isagawa ang gayong gawain, ano pa ang hindi niya magagawa? Hindi siya gaya ng mga nauna nang narinig ng inyong kamahalan tungkol sa kanya. Sa salita lamang siya nagmumukhang lubhang matuwid, ngunit sa likas na pagkatao’y mabagsik at malupit. Ang taong ito’y makasalanang ginagawang tabing ang dharma; ang kanyang asal at mga pagtalima’y walang saysay—pawang panlabas na pagpapakitang-tao.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma is measured by inner disposition and consistent conduct, not by eloquent speech or outward observance. A person may appear righteous through words, yet be cruel by nature; such ‘dharma’ is a mask, and discernment is required to judge character.
In the Shanti Parva instruction to the king, Bhishma warns Yudhiṣṭhira about a person whose reputation for righteousness is misleading. He exposes the contrast between public piety and private wickedness, advising the king to see through performative virtue.