Shloka 42
Ārjava, Satya, and the Virocana–Sudhanvan Exemplum
Udyoga-parva 35
सत्कृताश्च कृतार्थाश्च मित्राणां न भवन्ति ये । तान् मृतानपि क्रव्यादा: कृतघ्नान् नोपभुज्जते
satkṛtāś ca kṛtārthāś ca mitrāṇāṁ na bhavanti ye | tān mṛtān api kravyādāḥ kṛtaghnān nopabhuñjate ||
যিসকলে বন্ধুসমূহৰ পৰা সন্মান লাভ কৰি আৰু তেওঁলোকৰ সহায়ত কৃতাৰ্থ হৈও তেওঁলোকৰ প্ৰতি সত্য বন্ধু নহয়, তেওঁলোক কৃতঘ্ন। এনে কৃতঘ্নসকল মৰিলেও, কোৱা হয়, শৱভোজী জন্তুৱেও তেওঁলোকৰ মাংস নাখায়।
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Gratitude and reciprocity are essential to dharma in relationships: one who receives honor and benefit must respond with loyal friendship; ingratitude (kṛtaghnatā) is portrayed as a severe moral corruption.
In Vidura’s counsel during the tense pre-war negotiations of the Udyoga Parva, he condemns those who accept favors yet refuse true friendship, using a stark image—‘even carrion-eaters won’t eat them’—to stress how reprehensible ingratitude is.