Shloka 45
गोमूल्यनिर्णयः — The Determination of Value through the Cow
Nahuṣa–Cyavana Episode
आर्यरूपसमाचारं चरन्तं कृतके पथि । सुवर्णमन्यवर्ण वा स्वशीलं शास्ति निश्चये
āryarūpasamācāraṃ carantaṃ kṛtake pathi | suvarṇam anyavarṇaṃ vā svaśīlaṃ śāsti niścaye ||
毗湿摩说：若有人依凭矫饰之途，摹仿高贵者的行止礼度，人们便会疑惑：他究竟是真金，还是徒有其表之物；是纯正家系，还是杂混之族？然而要断此疑，唯其自身的品性——定型的性情与一贯的行持——终将昭示真相。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External refinement or imitation of noble behavior is not the final proof of virtue; a person’s true nature and consistent character are what ultimately disclose whether the goodness is genuine.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma, he explains how to judge a person who appears cultured and righteous: when appearances are uncertain, one should rely on the evidence of enduring character rather than mere outward performance.