Shloka 52
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
सर्वेषामेव सो<स्माकं वृत्तिभड़े प्रवर्तते । निश्चित्यैव पुनस्तस्य ते कर्माण्यपि वर्णयन्
sarveṣām eva so ’smākaṁ vṛttibhaṭe pravartate | niścityaiva punas tasya te karmāṇy api varṇayan ||
بھیشم نے کہا—“وہی شخص ہم سب کی روزی اور خدمت کے کام میں لگا ہوا ہے۔ اور تم پہلے اس کی حیثیت طے کر کے پھر اس کے اعمال تک کا بھی بیان کرنے لگتے ہو۔”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes ethical discernment in speech: one should first determine a person’s real position and role (especially one who serves or supports others) before judging or narrating his actions, since careless description can become unfair censure or misplaced praise.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and conduct, Bhīṣma addresses the listener(s) and comments on a certain person who is actively engaged in serving the livelihood/needs of all; he notes that the audience, after making a determination about him, goes on to recount his deeds—highlighting the need for careful, just evaluation.