Shloka 24
विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः
Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace
नाहं कामाजन्न संरम्भान्न द्वेषान्नार्थकारणात् । न हेतुवादाल्लोभाद् वा धर्म जह्यां कथंचन,“राजन! मैं कामसे, क्रोधसे, द्वेषसे, स्वार्थवश, बहानेबाजी अथवा लोभसे भी किसी प्रकार धर्मका त्याग नहीं कर सकता
nāhaṃ kāmāj janan saṃrambhān na dveṣān nārtha-kāraṇāt | na hetu-vādāl lobhād vā dharmaṃ jahyāṃ kathaṃcana ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana sprach: „O König, ich gebe das Dharma unter keinen Umständen auf—weder aus Begierde, noch aus ungestümer Wut, noch aus Hass, noch um persönlichen Vorteil willen, noch durch sophistische Vorwände, noch aus Gier.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts unwavering commitment to dharma: one must not forsake righteousness due to desire, anger, hatred, greed, self-interest, or clever rationalizations. Ethical integrity is presented as non-negotiable, especially for those in positions of responsibility.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates a statement emphasizing steadfast adherence to dharma. Addressed to a king, it frames the moral stance expected amid escalating conflict and political pressure.