Shloka 4
Gautama’s Flight, the Enchanted Grove, and the Arrival of Rājadharma
Nāḍījaṅgha
सत्यं सत्सु सदा धर्म: सत्यं धर्म: सनातन: । सत्यमेव नमस्येत सत्यं हि परमा गति:
satyaṁ satsu sadā dharmaḥ satyaṁ dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | satyam eva namasyeta satyaṁ hi paramā gatiḥ ||
Ipinahayag ni Bhīṣma: “Sa mga tunay na mabubuti, ang dharma ay laging nag-anyong katotohanan. Ang katotohanan mismo ang walang-hanggang dharma. Kaya sa katotohanan lamang dapat yumukod; sapagkat ang katotohanan ang pinakamataas na hantungan at huling kanlungan ng may buhay.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truthfulness is presented as the very essence of dharma: it is eternal, worthy of reverence, and leads to the highest good. The verse elevates satya from a single virtue to the foundation and culmination of righteous living.
In the Shanti Parva’s post-war instruction, Bhishma is teaching Yudhishthira about dharma and right conduct. Here he emphasizes satya as the defining mark of the virtuous and as the supreme guiding principle for ethical life.