Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 19

Ahiṃsā as Threefold Restraint (Mind–Speech–Action) and the Ethics of Consumption

Devanagari script

युधिछिर उवाच श्रुतं भगवतो वाक्यं धर्मयुक्ते परं हितम्‌

Transliteration

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca śrutaṃ bhagavato vākyaṃ dharmayukte paraṃ hitam

Translation

尤提士提罗说：“我已聆听世尊之言——根植于达摩，且利益至上。”

Word by Word

• युधिष्ठिरः: Yudhiṣṭhira
• युधिष्ठिरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: युधिष्ठिर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• उवाच: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular

• श्रुतम्: heard
• श्रुतम्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• भगवतः: of the Blessed Lord
• भगवतः: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• वाक्यम्: speech; statement
• वाक्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• धर्मयुक्ते: in/with what is connected with dharma (righteousness)
• धर्मयुक्ते: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्मयुक्त
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• परम्: supreme; highest
• परम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• हितम्: beneficial; for welfare
• हितम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित
• Form: क्त (from √धा with नि-: निहित > हित, lexicalized), Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Bhagavān (revered speaker/authority)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical ideal that true instruction is that which is aligned with dharma and aimed at the highest welfare (hita). It also models humility and receptivity: a ruler acknowledges having listened to righteous counsel.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira responds after receiving a revered authority’s discourse, affirming that he has heard it and recognizing it as dharma-consistent and supremely beneficial—serving as a transition into further questioning or acceptance of the teaching.