Shloka 29
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
सर्वस्य दयिता: प्राणा: सर्व: स्नेहं च विन्दति । तिर्यग्योनिष्वपि सतां स्नेह पश्यत यादृशम्
sarvasya dayitāḥ prāṇāḥ sarvaḥ snehaṃ ca vindati | tiryagyonīṣv api satāṃ snehaṃ paśyata yādṛśam ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Sa bawat nilalang, mahal ang sariling hininga ng buhay; at ang bawat isa nama’y nakatatagpo rin ng paglingap mula sa iba. Masdan ninyo maging sa mga hayop at ibon—gaano kalalim ang pag-ibig na iniuukol nila sa kanilang supling.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights a universal ethical insight: every being cherishes its own life, and affection—especially parental love—arises naturally across all species. Recognizing this commonality supports compassion and restraint in conduct toward others.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction, Bhīṣma is teaching about right conduct by appealing to an observable truth from nature: even animals and birds display strong love for their young, so humans should understand the value of life and cultivate empathy.