सत्यस्य वचनं श्रे यः सत्यज्ञानं तु दु ष्करम् ।

यद् भू तहितमत्यन्तमे तत्सत्यं ब्रवीम्यिम् ॥ 13 ॥

satyasya vacanaṃ śreyaḥ satyajñānaṃ tu duṣkaram |

yad bhūtahitam atyantam etat satyaṃ bravīmyaham || 13 ||

- Mahabharata Shanti Parva 12.316.13

Translation: Speaking truth is glorious. But ascertaining what is truth is very difficult. So I
say that, ‘doing or speaking that which is greatly beneficial for the living entities’ is the
truth.
Narada Muni to Bhishma / Yudhisthira and others

The Shanti Parva (Sanskrit: शान्ति पर्व; IAST: Śānti parva; "Book of Peace") is the twelfth of eighteen
books of the Indian Epic Mahabharata. It traditionally has 3 parts and 365 chapters.[1][2] The critical
edition has 3 parts and 353 chapters.[3][4] It is the longest book among the eighteen books of the
epic.

The book is set after the war is over- the two sides have accepted peace and Yudhishthira starts his
rule of the Pandava kingdom. The Shanti parva recites the duties of the ruler, dharma and good
governance, as counseled by the dying Bhishma and various Rishis.[5] The parva includes many
fables such as that of "the fowler and pigeons". The book also provides what some have described as
a "theory of varna" as well as a comparative discussion between a rule of truth versus a rule of
rituals, declaring truth to be far superior over rituals.[6] Shanti parva has been widely studied for its
treatises on jurisprudence, prosperity and success.[7][8]

Scholars have questioned whether parts or all of the parva was inserted or interpolated at a later
age.[9][10]

Structure and chapters

This Parva (book) traditionally has 3 sub-parvas (parts or little books) and 365 adhyayas (sections,
chapters).[2][1] The following are the sub-parvas:[11]

1. Rajadharma-anusasana Parva (Chapters: 1–130)[2][6]

This sub-book describes the duties of kings and leaders, among other things.

2. Apaddharma-anusasana Parva (Chapters: 131–173)[6]

This sub-book describes the rules of conduct when one faces adversity.

3. Moksha-dharma Parva (Chapters: 174–365)[2]

This sub-book describes behavior and rules to achieve moksha (emancipation, release, freedom).

Shanti parva begins with sorrowful Yudhishthira lamenting the loss of human lives during the war.
The great Rishis came there to see that monarch, among them were Vyasa, Narada, Devala,
Devasthana and Kanwa. Yudhishthira griefs for loss of his kinsmen and especially for his eldest
brother. He says that for gaining kingdom, unwittingly, he caused that brother of his to be slain, for
that his heart is burning exceedingly. He says that if he had both Karna and Arjuna for aiding him, he
could have vanquished the gods himself. He asks Narada who was acquainted with everything of
world, the cause for car wheel stuck and curses on his brother. Narada says, Nothing could resist
Karna and Arjuna in battle. And what he is about to tell him is unknown to the very gods. He tell him
how Kunti conceived that child and latter he had status of Suta, how when refused by Drona for
Brahma weapon, he met with Parshurama, how he obtained celestial weapons by servicing
Parshurama, how he was cursed by a Brahmin for killing his cow unwitting, by Parshurama for lying,
and by goddess earth, how he came to be with friendship of Duryodhana, how when Duryodhana
abducted the maiden of Kalingas with force, Karna defended him from the other kings, how when
king Jarasandha challenged him to a single combat he fought with him, how when he was about to
sever his antagonist body into two pieces, spared him from desire of friendship. From friendship he
gave unto Karna the town Malini & Champa, and made him famous for his valour. When for their
good, the Lord of the celestials begged of him his natural coat of mail and ear-rings, stupefied he
gave away those precious possessions. Deprived of his armor and ear-rings, in consequence of
Brahmana's curse as also of the illustrious Parshurama, of the boon granted to Kunti, of illusion
practised on him by Indra, of his depreciation by Bhishma as only half a car-warrior, of destruction of
his energy caused by Shalya keen speeches, of Vasudeva's policy, and lastly of the celestial weapons
given to Arjuna of Rudra, Indra, Yama, Varuna, Kuvera, Drona and Kripa, with these the wielder of
Gandiva succeeded in slaying, that tiger among men, Vikartana's son Karna, of effulgence like that of
sun. Having said these words, the celestial Rishi Narada became silent. Yudhishthira griefs, shedding
copious tears and Kunti consoles him. Yudhishthira announces his desire to renounce the kingdom,
move into a forest as a mendicant and live in silence. He receives counsel from his family and then
sages Narada and Vyasa, as well as Devala, Devasthana and Kanwa.[6] The parva includes the story
of king Janaka and the queen of the Videhas, presenting the theory of true mendicant as one who
does not crave for material wealth, not one who abandons material wealth for an outward show.
Arjuna argues it is more virtuous to create and maintain virtuous wealth and do good with it, than to
neither create nor have any. Yudhishthira challenges Arjuna how would he know. Sage Vyasa then
intervenes and offers arguments from Vedas that support Arjuna's comments, and the story of
Sankha and Likhita. Krishna concurs with Arjuna and Vyasa, and adds his own arguments. Vasudeva
then tells him to approach Bhishma who was in his bed of arrows and question him about
knowledge of life and duties of the four orders, before he disappears. They all go and meet with
Bhishma, where Krishna relieves Bhishma from pain using his power and Bhishma gives them lecture
about duties of a king, further days.[2][6]

Shanti parva recites a theory of governance and duties of a leader.[5] This theory is outlined by dying
Bhishma to Yudhishthira and his brothers (shown), as well as words from sage Vidura.[1]

Shanti parva is a treatise on duties of a king and his government, dharma (laws and rules), proper
governance, rights, justice and describes how these create prosperity. Yudhishthira becomes the
king of a prosperous and peaceful kingdom, Bhima his heir apparent, sage Vidura the prime minister,
Sanjaya the finance minister, Arjuna the defense and justice minister, and Dhaumya is appointed
one responsible to service priests and counsels to the king.[1][6] This books also includes a treatise
on yoga as recited by Krishna.