Shloka 10
सान्त्व-निति: (Sāntva-Nīti) — The One-Word Principle of Conciliation
Devanagari script
सुकृतस्य हि सान्त्वस्य श्लक्षणस्थ मधुरस्य च । सम्यगासेव्यमानस्य तुल्यं जातु न विद्यते
Transliteration
sukṛtasya hi sāntvasya ślakṣṇasya madhurasya ca | samyag āsevyamānasya tulyaṃ jātu na vidyate ||
Translation
释迦罗说道：“出于善意的慰藉之言——柔和、圆润而甘甜——若能正当地修习并恒常施行，则在世间作为感化他人的手段，实无与伦比。此等言语以善心为根，便成使人心归于和谐而非屈于强力的第一利器。”
Word by Word
सुकृतस्यof the well-done / well-performed (speech/act)
सुकृतस्य:
Sambandha
TypeNoun
Rootसुकृत
FormNeuter, Genitive, Singular
हिindeed, for
हि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि
सान्त्वस्यof consolation / soothing speech
सान्त्वस्य:
Sambandha
TypeNoun
Rootसान्त्व
FormNeuter, Genitive, Singular
श्लक्षणस्थabiding in gentleness; gentle
श्लक्षणस्थ:
Visheshana
TypeAdjective
Rootश्लक्षण-स्थ
FormNeuter, Genitive, Singular
मधुरस्यof sweet (speech)
मधुरस्य:
Visheshana
TypeAdjective
Rootमधुर
FormNeuter, Genitive, Singular
चand
च:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच
सम्यक्properly, well
सम्यक्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसम्यक्
आसेव्यमानस्यof (that) being practiced/used/served
आसेव्यमानस्य:
Sambandha
TypeVerb
Rootआ-सेव्
FormPresent passive participle (शानच्), Neuter, Genitive, Singular
तुल्यम्equal (thing)
तुल्यम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootतुल्य
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
जातुever, at any time
जातु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootजातु
नnot
न:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootन
विद्यतेexists, is found
विद्यते:
TypeVerb
Rootविद्
FormLat, Atmanepada, Third, Singular, Present indicative
यदिif
यदि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयदि
Speaker
शक्र उवाच
Characters & Entities
Ś
Śakra (Indra)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Properly spoken and consistently practiced consoling, gentle, sweet speech is an unmatched means of influencing others; ethical persuasion through kindness surpasses coercion.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and conduct, Śakra (Indra) offers a maxim on the power of sāntva—reassuring, affectionate speech—as a practical tool for harmony and effective leadership.