Shloka 80

Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154

Devanagari script

धर्म सत्यं श्रुतं न्याय्यं महतीं प्राणिनां दयाम्‌

Transliteration

dharma satyaṁ śrutaṁ nyāyyaṁ mahatīṁ prāṇināṁ dayām

Translation

豺狼（Jambuka）说道：“（当奉行）达摩、真实、从神圣传承所闻所学、正当与合宜之道，并以广大慈悲对待一切众生。”

Word by Word

• धर्मम्: dharma, righteousness
• धर्मम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• श्रुतम्: what is heard/learned; sacred learning
• श्रुतम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रुत
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• न्याय्यम्: proper, just, fitting
• न्याय्यम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: न्याय्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• महतīm: great
• महतīm: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत्
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• प्राणिनाम्: of living beings
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राणिन्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• दयाम्: compassion, mercy
• दयाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: दया
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

जम्बुक उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Jambuka

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse condenses ethical life into five pillars: dharma (right conduct), satya (truthfulness), śruta (guidance from sacred/authoritative learning), nyāyya (justice and fairness), and dayā (deep compassion toward all beings).

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Jambuka speaks as a moral teacher, listing the virtues that should guide a person’s conduct and decisions, especially in matters of social duty and humane treatment of life.