Shloka 32

Nakula’s Counsel on Yajña, Dāna, and Tyāga (नकुलोपदेशः—यज्ञदानत्यागविचारः)

Devanagari script

अदातार: शरण्याश्ष॒ राजकिल्बिषभागिन: । दोषाणामेव भोक्तारो न सुखानां कदाचन,जो दान नहीं देते, शरणागतोंकी रक्षा नहीं करते, वे राजाओंके पापके भागी होते हैं। उन्हें दुःख-ही-दु:ख भोगना पड़ता है, सुख तो कभी नहीं मिलता

Transliteration

adātāraḥ śaraṇyāś ca rāja-kilbiṣa-bhāginaḥ | doṣāṇām eva bhoktāro na sukhānāṃ kadācana ||

Translation

Those who refuse to give and who fail to protect those seeking refuge become sharers in a king’s moral transgression. Such people are destined to reap only the fruits of fault and suffering; happiness does not truly come to them.

Word by Word

अदातारःnon-givers (those who do not give)

शरण्याःprotectors of the refuge-seeking (those who should give shelter)

राजकिल्बिषभागिनःsharers in the king's sin

दोषाणाम्of faults / of evils

एवonly / indeed

भोक्तारःenjoyers/experiencers (those who must undergo)

नnot

सुखानाम्of pleasures / of happinesses

कदाचनever / at any time

Speaker

नकुल उवाच

Characters & Entities

Nakula

king (rāja)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Generosity and protection of the vulnerable are central duties; refusing to give and failing to shelter the surrendered makes one complicit in moral wrongdoing and leads to suffering rather than happiness.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nakula is speaking within the Shanti Parva’s ethical discourse, emphasizing standards of conduct—especially for those with power or responsibility—by warning that neglect of charity and refuge-protection brings culpability and painful results.