Shloka 12
Kīṭopākhyāna: Prajā-pālana as Kṣatra-vrata and the Attainment of Brāhmaṇya
अहिंसालक्षणो धर्म इति धर्मविदो विदु: । यदहिंसात्मकं कर्म तत् कुर्यादात्मवान् नर:,धर्मज्ञ पुरुष यह जानते हैं कि अहिंसा ही धर्मका लक्षण है। मनस्वी पुरुष वही कर्म करे, जो अहिंसात्मक हो
Bhīṣma uvāca: ahiṃsālakṣaṇo dharma iti dharmavido viduḥ | yad ahiṃsātmakam karma tat kuryād ātmavān naraḥ ||
اہلِ دین جانتے ہیں کہ اہنسا ہی دھرم کی پہچان ہے۔ لہٰذا خود ضبط اور صاحبِ شعور انسان کو وہی عمل کرنا چاہیے جو اہنسا پر قائم ہو۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ahimsa (non-violence) is presented as the defining criterion of dharma; hence one should choose and perform only those actions that are non-injurious in their nature and intent.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (Anushasana Parva), he states a general ethical principle for conduct: the wise recognize non-violence as the hallmark of righteousness, and a disciplined person should act accordingly.