Shloka 9
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
आचारलक्षणो धर्म: संतश्षारित्रलक्षणा: । साधूनां च यथावृत्तमेतदाचारलक्षणम्
Bhīṣma uvāca: ācāra-lakṣaṇo dharmaḥ, santaś cāritra-lakṣaṇāḥ | sādhūnāṃ ca yathā-vṛttam etad ācāra-lakṣaṇam ||
نیک آچرن ہی دھرم کی پہچان ہے۔ سچا کردار ہی نیک لوگوں کی علامت ہے۔ صالح و منضبط لوگ زندگی میں جیسا برتاؤ کرتے ہیں—وہی ‘درست آچرن’ کا حقیقی مفہوم اور دھرم کی نشانی ہے۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is not merely a theory or rulebook; it is identified through ācāra—lived, disciplined right conduct. The reliable indicator of what is righteous is the consistent behavior and character of truly virtuous people.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is teaching Yudhiṣṭhira by defining dharma through observable standards: the conduct and character of the saintly and well-disciplined.