Shloka 38
अव्यक्त–प्रकृति–इन्द्रियविचारः
The Unmanifest, Prakṛtis, and the Sense-Complex
संकल्पजो मित्रवर्गो ज्ञातय: कारणात्मका: । भार्या पुत्रश्न दासश्न स्वमर्थमनुयुज्यते
saṅkalpajo mitravargo jñātayaḥ kāraṇātmakāḥ | bhāryā putraś ca dāsaś ca svam artham anuyujyate ||
Parāśara said: Friendships arise from one’s intentions and desires; even kinsmen maintain ties for some purpose. Wife, son, and servant too each pursue their own advantage. Thus, one should recognize the self-interest that often underlies human relationships and act with discernment rather than naïve dependence.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Parāśara highlights that many social bonds—friendship, kinship, even household relations—often operate through motives and self-interest; therefore one should cultivate discernment and non-attachment, grounding oneself in dharma rather than dependence on others’ affection.
In Śānti Parva’s didactic discourse, Parāśara speaks as a teacher, offering a sober observation about worldly relationships to guide the listener toward renunciation-minded wisdom and ethical clarity.