Sacred Concord

Mahabharata on Justice

1,745 passages in the Mahabharata address justice, in the Kisari Mohan Ganguli translation.

"'Bhishma said, "The first three, viz., strangers, relatives, and ascetics, when possessed of these attributes, viz., purity of birth, devotion to religious acts, learning, compassion, modesty, sincerity, and truthfulness, are regarded as proper persons. The other two, viz., men of learning and those devoted to sacrifices, when endued with five of these attributes, viz., purity of birth, compassion, modesty, sincerity, truthfulness, are also regarded as proper persons. Listen now to me, O son of Pritha, as I recite to thee the opinions of these four persons of mighty energy, viz., the goddess Earth, the Rishi Kasyapa, Agni (the deity of fire) and the ascetic Markandeya.
Mbh 13.22.8 · Mahabharata · ANUSASANA PARVA
The Self-born Brahman himself has said that one should show compassion unto all orders of men."'"[485]
Mbh 13.104.2q · Mahabharata · ANUSASANA PARVA
"'Yudhishthira said, "Who deserve to be worshipped? Who are they unto whom we should bow? How, indeed, should we behave towards whom? What course of conduct, O grandsire, towards what classes of persons is regarded faultless?"
Mbh 13.151.1 · Mahabharata · ANUSASANA PARVA
Know that three of these acts should constitute the livelihood of the Brahmanas, viz., teaching (pupils), officiating at the sacrifices of others, and the acceptance of gifts from a person that is pure. As to the other duties that remain, numbering three, viz., making of gifts, study, and sacrifice, these are accompanied by merit.[135] Observant of penances, self-restrained, practising universal compassion and forgiveness, and looking upon all creatures with an equal eye, the man that is conversant with duties should never be heedless with regard to those three acts. The learned Brahmana of pure heart, who observes the domestic mode of life and practises rigid vows, thus devoted and thus discharging all duties to the best of his power, succeeds in conquering Heaven."'"'"
Mbh 14.45.1c · Mahabharata · ASWAMEDHA PARVA
We are all dependent on thee, O king of kings. Let the fever of thy heart be dispelled. I think, O lord of Earth, that all this that has come upon thee is due to destiny. By good luck, I had thought, that waiting upon thee and executing thy commands obediently, I would rescue thee from the fever of thy heart."
Mbh 15.3.4b · Mahabharata · ASRAMAVASIKA PARVA
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