Shloka 34
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
नैतैरुपविशेत्सार्द्धं विवदेन्नात्मकारणात् । जीवितार्थमपि द्वेषाद्गुरुभिर्नैव भाषणम्
naitairupaviśetsārddhaṃ vivadennātmakāraṇāt | jīvitārthamapi dveṣādgurubhirnaiva bhāṣaṇam
Man soll nicht in ihrer Gesellschaft sitzen und nicht um des eigenen Vorteils willen mit ihnen streiten. Selbst um des Lebensunterhalts willen soll man nicht aus Hass sprechen, auch wenn es Ältere oder Vorgesetzte sind.
Unspecified (narrative instruction within the Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Avoid contentious company and self-serving debate; do not engage in hateful speech even for livelihood.
Application: Choose workplaces and circles that do not demand unethical speech; refuse arguments driven by ego; if forced into contact, keep speech minimal, factual, and non-hostile.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A crossroads scene: on one side, a calm group of sādhus chanting near a small Viṣṇu shrine; on the other, a heated circle of disputants with sharp gestures and darkened faces. The central figure turns away from the quarrel, holding a rosary, choosing silence over ego-driven debate.","primary_figures":["seeker/householder","quarrelsome disputants","sādhus (satsaṅga group)","optional: small Viṣṇu shrine icon"],"setting":"Village edge or temple courtyard with two contrasting gatherings; a threshold line or doorway symbolizing discernment.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["ash gray","peepal green","muted maroon","lamp gold","storm-cloud blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split composition—left side serene satsanga before a Viṣṇu altar with tulasī, right side argumentative figures with tense postures; central devotee turning away with japa-mālā; gold leaf highlights on shrine, lamps, and halos; rich reds/greens with dramatic contrast.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical courtyard with two groups; delicate expressions showing calm vs agitation; cool palette with subtle shading; the protagonist’s gentle turn and lowered gaze emphasized; distant hills and flowering trees framing moral choice.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and stylized faces; right side figures with exaggerated angry eyes and gestures; left side composed sages; central figure in balanced stance; temple-wall aesthetic with ornamental borders and warm pigments.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: moral allegory framed by lotus and creeper borders; peacocks near the peaceful group, crows near the quarrel; deep blue background with gold detailing around the Viṣṇu shrine and floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["murmur of argument (distant)","temple bell punctuations","rustling leaves","conch shell (soft)","sudden hush on key prohibitions"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नैतैरुपविशेत् = न + एतैः + उपविशेत्; विवदेन्नात्मकारणात् = विवदेत् + न + आत्मकारणात्; जीवितार्थमपि = जीवितार्थम् + अपि; द्वेषाद्गुरुभिः = द्वेषात् + गुरुभिः; गुरुभिर्नैव = गुरुभिः + न + एव
FAQs
It advises avoiding the company of harmful people and refraining from arguing out of self-interest; it also warns against speaking in contexts driven by hatred, even when practical needs like livelihood are involved.
It specifically discourages disputation motivated by personal gain or ego (“ātma-kāraṇāt”), not principled inquiry or respectful discussion aimed at truth.
The verse stresses that ethical restraint in speech should not be compromised for material necessity, and that social hierarchy alone does not justify engaging in hateful or harmful speech.