Shloka 49
गोमूल्यनिर्णयः — The Determination of Value through the Cow
Nahuṣa–Cyavana Episode
आत्मानमाख्याति हि कर्मभिर्नर: सुशीलचारित्रकुलै: शुभाशुभै: । प्रणष्टमप्याशु कुलं तथा नर: पुन: प्रकाशं कुरुते स्वकर्मत:
ātmānam ākhyāti hi karmabhir naraḥ suśīlacāritrakulaiḥ śubhāśubhaiḥ | praṇaṣṭam apy āśu kulaṃ tathā naraḥ punaḥ prakāśaṃ kurute svakarmataḥ ||
毗湿摩说：人真正为人所知，在于其所作所为——或善或恶——以及其品性之雅、行止之端与家族之传。纵使其宗族一度没落、湮没或败坏，男子亦能凭自身行为之力，迅速使家门重现光彩，复归荣誉与众望。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A person’s real identity and worth are revealed by conduct and deeds; even if lineage is damaged, ethical action can restore honor and recognition.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma, he emphasizes that social standing is not fixed by birth alone: one’s actions and character publicly define a person and can even revive a fallen family’s reputation.