Shloka 29
Sanatsujāta-Āhvāna (Summoning Sanatsujāta) — Vidura’s Invocation and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Doubt
तस्य सम्यक् समाचारमाहुर्वेदविदो जना: । नैनं मन्येत भूयिष्ठं बाह्माभ्यन्तरं जनम्
tasya samyak samācāram āhur vedavido janāḥ | nainaṁ manyeta bhūyiṣṭhaṁ bāhyābhyantaraṁ janam |
Wika ni Sanatsujāta: “Pinupuri ng mga nakaaalam sa Veda ang kanyang asal bilang tunay na wasto. Ngunit huwag bigyan ng labis na halaga ang tao dahil lamang sa mga panlabas na tanda o katayuan—maging ‘panlabas’ o ‘panloob’—kung siya’y tumatalikod sa mismong pagsasabuhay ng dharma. Ang tunay na nakahihigit ay yaong naging nakatuon sa loob sa pamamagitan ng walang-sariling pagtupad sa dharma.”
सनत्युजात उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worth is not determined by outward identifiers or mere reputation; the superior person is one who is inwardly aligned with dharma through sincere, selfless practice, as affirmed by Veda-knowers.
In the Udyoga Parva dialogue, Sanatsujāta instructs the listener on ethical discernment: even if learned people praise someone’s ‘proper conduct,’ one must prioritize genuine dharmic orientation over external or merely formal qualities.