Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 28: Dharmādharmalakṣaṇa in Āpad
Crisis-Discernment of Right and Wrong
अतन्द्रिता भारमिमं महान्तं बिभर्ति देवी पृथिवी बलेन । अतन्द्रिता: शीघ्रमपो वहन्ति संतर्पयन्त्य: सर्वभूतानि नद्यः
atandritā bhāram imaṁ mahāntaṁ bibharti devī pṛthivī balena | atandritāḥ śīghram apo vahanti santarpayantyaḥ sarvabhūtāni nadyaḥ ||
পৃথিৱীদেৱীয়ো ক্লান্তিহীন হৈ, কৰ্মত তৎপৰ থাকি, নিজৰ বলে এই মহান ভাৰ বহন কৰে। নদীবোৰো অলসতা ত্যাগ কৰি দ্ৰুতগতিত জল বহাই, সকলো প্ৰাণীক তৃপ্ত কৰে।
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse teaches atandratā—freedom from laziness and steady diligence. Earth and rivers are presented as models: by continuously performing their sustaining work, they uphold and nourish all beings; likewise, a person should fulfill duty without sloth for the welfare of others.
Vāyu-deva speaks, using examples from nature—Earth bearing the world’s weight and rivers swiftly carrying water—to instruct listeners in the value of tireless effort and responsible action, a fitting counsel in the Udyoga Parva’s atmosphere of preparation and moral deliberation.