Shloka 86
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
न मे मानुषलोको«यं मुहूर्तमपि रोचते । इस संसारमें सब कुछ असत्य एवं बहुत अरुचिकर है। यहाँ अनाप-शनाप बकनेवाले तो बहुत हैं, परंतु प्रिय वचन बोलनेवाले विरले ही हैं। यहाँ का भाव दुःख और शोककी वृद्धि करनेवाला है। इसे देखकर मुझे यह मनुष्यलोक दो घड़ी भी अच्छा नहीं लगता ।।
na me mānuṣa-loko ’yaṁ muhūrtam api rocate | aho dhig gṛdhra-vākyena yathaivābuddhayas tathā ||
Jambuka said: “This human world does not please me even for a moment. Everything here appears false and deeply distasteful. Many speak wildly and without restraint, but those who speak words that are truly kind and pleasing are rare. The prevailing mood here only increases sorrow and grief. Seeing this, I cannot find this human realm agreeable even for a short while. Alas—shame! Such is the effect of vulture-like speech: people become just as unwise as it is.”
जम्बुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse critiques the moral atmosphere of the human world: falsehood, reckless talk, and speech that increases grief. It implies an ethical ideal of restrained, truthful, and kindly speech, and warns that predatory/harsh words degrade discernment and character.
Jambuka is speaking in a reflective, disillusioned tone, expressing disgust toward human society. He observes that many people speak nonsense while genuinely pleasing and benevolent speech is rare, and he condemns “vulture-like” speech for fostering folly and sorrow.