Shloka 9
Ahiṃsā as Threefold Restraint (Mind–Speech–Action) and the Ethics of Consumption
युधिछिर उवाच भगवन् सर्वधर्मज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद | मर्त्यस्य क: सहायो वै पिता माता सुतो गुरु:
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca bhagavan sarvadharmajña sarvaśāstraviśārada | martyasya kaḥ sahāyo vai pitā mātā suto guruḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira thưa: “Bạch bậc tôn kính, người am tường mọi dharma, tinh thông mọi śāstra—rốt cuộc ai là người trợ giúp của kẻ phàm nhân? Là cha, mẹ, con, hay thầy?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry into the true source of support for a human being. By listing father, mother, son, and guru, it invites reflection on whether worldly relations or spiritual-ethical guidance constitutes one’s real refuge—preparing the ground for a dharma-centered answer about lasting support.
Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully addresses a revered authority on dharma and śāstra and asks a pointed question: among close family ties and the teacher, who is genuinely a mortal’s helper. This functions as a lead-in to instruction on duty, dependence, and the hierarchy of supports in life.