Shloka 6
Adhyāya 39 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on attachment (saṅga) and relational restraint
ते विश्रब्धा: प्रभाषन्ते सम्पृच्छन्ते च मां सदा । प्रमत्तेष्वप्रमत्तो5स्मि सदा सुप्तेषु जागृमि,ब्राह्मण भी अत्यन्त विश्वस्त होकर मेरे साथ बातचीत करते और मेरी कुशल पूछते हैं। ब्राह्मणोंके असावधान रहनेपर भी मैं सदा सावधान रहता हूँ। उनके सोते रहनेपर भी मैं जागता रहता हूँ
te viśrabdhāḥ prabhāṣante sampṛcchante ca māṃ sadā | pramatteṣv apramatto 'smi sadā supteṣu jāgṛmi ||
Those brāhmaṇas, feeling completely at ease, speak freely with me and constantly inquire after my welfare. Even when they are careless, I remain ever vigilant; when they sleep, I stay awake.
शम्बर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between trust and vigilance: when others become overly confident and careless, one’s alertness can either serve protection or, in an adharma context, enable exploitation. It implicitly warns that social trust (especially toward respected brāhmaṇas) should not become negligence.
Śambara describes his relationship with brāhmaṇas: they speak with him freely and ask after him, trusting him completely. He contrasts their heedlessness and sleep with his constant watchfulness, portraying himself as continuously alert while they are off guard.