Shloka 1
Gautama’s Flight, the Enchanted Grove, and the Arrival of Rājadharma
Nāḍījaṅgha
/ ऑपन-माज बछ। -ज:डि द्विषष्ट्याधिकशततमो< ध्याय: सत्यके लक्षण
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | satyaṃ dharmaṃ praśaṃsanti viprarṣipitṛdevatāḥ | satyam icchāmy ahaṃ śrotuṃ tan me brūhi pitāmaha ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Pinupuri ng mga Brahmin, ng mga pantas na rishi, ng mga ninuno, at ng mga diyos ang pagsasabi ng katotohanan bilang isang anyo ng dharma. Kaya nais kong marinig kung ano talaga ang ‘katotohanan’—ipaliwanag mo sa akin iyon, O Lolo (Pitāmaha).”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truthfulness (satya) is presented as a central expression of dharma, praised across human and divine authorities; the verse frames satya as foundational to moral order and worthy of precise definition.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Grandfather’ and requests a clear explanation of what truth is, setting up Bhīṣma’s forthcoming discourse on satya—its nature, marks, and greatness.