Shloka 15
जापक–इक्ष्वाकु–सत्यविवादः
The Jāpaka, Ikṣvāku, and the Dispute on Truth and Merit
अवज्ञानमहंकारो दम्भश्नैव विगर्हित: । अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोध: सर्वाश्रमगतं तप:
bharadvāja uvāca | avajñānam ahaṅkāro dambhaś caiva vigarhitaḥ | ahiṃsā satyam akrodhaḥ sarvāśramagataṃ tapaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bharadvāja: “Ang paghamak, pagmamataas, at pagkukunwari ay tunay na sinisita bilang mga kapintasan na dapat itakwil. Ang hindi pananakit (ahiṃsā) sa lahat ng nilalang, ang pagsasabi ng katotohanan, at ang pagpipigil na hindi pahintulutang sumiklab ang galit sa isipan—ang mga ito ang austeridad (tapas) na kapaki-pakinabang sa mga tao sa bawat āśrama (yugto ng buhay).”
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts condemned vices—disrespect, ego-pride, and hypocrisy—with universally valid austerities: non-violence, truthfulness, and mastery over anger. It frames ethical self-restraint as true tapas, applicable to all stages of life.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, the sage Bharadvāja speaks as a teacher, laying down practical moral criteria: what conduct is censured and what disciplines count as genuine austerity for everyone, regardless of āśrama.