Shloka 12
Ārjava, Satya, and the Virocana–Sudhanvan Exemplum
Udyoga-parva 35
अव्याह्तं व्याहवताच्छेय आहु: सत्यं वदेद् व्याहृतं तद् द्वितीयम् प्रियं वदेद् व्याह्ृतं तत् तृतीयं धर्म वदेद् व्याह्ृतं तच्चतुर्थम्
avyāhṛtaṃ vyāhṛtāc chreya āhuḥ | satyaṃ vaded vyāhṛtaṃ tad dvitīyam | priyaṃ vaded vyāhṛtaṃ tat tṛtīyaṃ | dharmaṃ vaded vyāhṛtaṃ tac caturtham ||
天鹅（Haṃsa）说道：“人们说，不说胜于说。若不得不说，说真话为其次；说既真实又悦人的话为第三；而说真实、悦人且合乎达摩（正法）之言，为第四。”
हंस उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse ranks speech-ethics in four ascending ideals: (1) silence is best when speech would be harmful or needless; (2) if speaking is necessary, speak truth; (3) better still, speak what is both true and pleasing; (4) best is speech that is true, pleasing, and aligned with dharma—i.e., beneficial and morally appropriate.
In Udyoga Parva, amid counsel and moral instruction before the great conflict, the Haṃsa delivers a didactic teaching on disciplined speech—how to weigh silence, truth, pleasantness, and dharmic benefit when advising or responding in tense circumstances.