Shloka 4

ऋत्विग्धर्मः, दक्षिणा-न्यायः, तपसः परमार्थः

Ritvij-Dharma, the Norm of Dakṣiṇā, and the Higher Meaning of Tapas

Devanagari script

अनुशंसा: सत्यवाक्या अकुसीदा अथर्जव: । अद्रोहो5नभिमानश्च ह्ीस्तितिक्षा दम: शम:

Transliteration

anuśaṃsāḥ satyavākyā akusīdā athārjavaḥ | adroho 'nabhimānaś ca hrīs titikṣā damaḥ śamaḥ ||

Translation

Bhīṣma nói: “Đây là những đức hạnh đáng tán dương: nói lời chân thật; không vướng nạn cho vay nặng lãi và mưu lợi bóc lột; ngay thẳng; không ác ý; không kiêu mạn; biết hổ thẹn và tự giữ mình; nhẫn chịu; chế ngự các căn; và an tịnh nội tâm.”

Word by Word

अनुशंसाःcommendations/praises (good qualities)

सत्यवाक्याःtruth-speaking

अकुसीदाःfree from usury (not taking interest)

अथand/then

ऋजवःstraightforward/upright

अद्रोहःnon-malice/non-treachery

अनभिमानःabsence of pride

चand

ह्रीःmodesty/shame (moral restraint)

तितिक्षाforbearance

दमःself-control (restraint of senses)

शमःtranquillity (calmness of mind)

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Bhīṣma enumerates a cluster of dharmic virtues—truthful speech, economic fairness (no usury), straightforward conduct, non-malice, humility, modest moral restraint, patience, sensory discipline, and inner peace—as marks of a well-formed ethical character.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising on righteous conduct by listing specific qualities that deserve praise and should be cultivated.