Shloka 40
Inauspicious Omens and Arjuna’s Return from Dvārakā
कच्चिन्नाभिहतोऽभावै: शब्दादिभिरमङ्गलै: । न दत्तमुक्तमर्थिभ्य आशया यत्प्रतिश्रुतम् ॥ ४० ॥
kaccin nābhihato ’bhāvaiḥ śabdādibhir amaṅgalaiḥ na dattam uktam arthibhya āśayā yat pratiśrutam
Has anyone hurt you with harsh, inauspicious words or threatened you? Did you fail to give charity to one who asked, or fail to keep a promise after giving someone hope?
A kṣatriya or a rich man is sometimes visited by persons who are in need of money. When they are asked for a donation, it is the duty of the possessor of wealth to give in charity in consideration of the person, place and time. If a kṣatriya or a rich man fails to comply with this obligation, he must be very sorry for this discrepancy. Similarly, one should not fail to keep his promise to give in charity. These discrepancies are sometimes causes of despondency, and thus failing, a person becomes subjected to criticism, which might also be the cause of Arjuna’s plight.
FAQs
This verse shows Yudhiṣṭhira linking inner and outer disturbance with ‘amaṅgala’ signs (unlucky sounds, etc.), implying that omens can signal disorder, but dharma—especially truthfulness and right conduct—remains the devotee’s anchor.
Arjuna had returned from Dvārakā unusually distressed; Yudhiṣṭhira, sensing a calamity connected to Kṛṣṇa’s departure, asks whether omens or a lapse in dharma (like failing to keep a promise to petitioners) has caused his agitation.
Be vigilant about integrity—especially keeping your word and helping those who depend on you—because broken promises and neglected duties create anxiety and ‘inauspiciousness’ in one’s mind and relationships.