Shloka 24
Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction
स्वयं किल्बिषमादाय तैस्त्यक्तो नार्थकोविद: । असिद्धार्थो विशत्यन्धं स्वधर्मविमुखस्तम: ॥ २४ ॥
svayaṁ kilbiṣam ādāya tais tyakto nārtha-kovidaḥ asiddhārtho viśaty andhaṁ sva-dharma-vimukhas tamaḥ
Seine eigenen sündhaften Reaktionen mit sich tragend, von den vermeintlichen Abhängigen verlassen, das wahre Lebensziel nicht kennend und vom eigenen Svadharma abgewandt, tritt der Tor, ohne seine Zwecke zu erfüllen, in die blinde Finsternis der Hölle ein.
It is sadly ironic that materialistic persons, who labor so assiduously to accumulate insurance, security, property and family, enter the darkness of hell equipped with nothing but the painful reactions of their sins. On the other hand, those who cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness, spiritual life, while apparently neglecting to accumulate property, a large family and so on, enter the next life enriched with many spiritual assets and thus enjoy the deep pleasures of the soul.
FAQs
This verse warns that turning away from one’s proper duty leads to failure in life’s true aim and results in entering “blind darkness,” a state of deep ignorance and suffering.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating the Bhagavatam to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
Act with integrity in your responsibilities, avoid taking on sinful actions for temporary gain, and align your work and choices with dharma and devotion—otherwise one risks inner confusion, broken goals, and spiritual decline.