Shloka 41
त्यज धर्ममसंकल्पादधर्म चाप्यलिप्सया । उभे सत्यानृते बुद्धया बुद्धिं परमनिश्चयात्,संकल्पके त्यागद्वारा धर्मको और लिप्साके अभावद्वारा अधर्मको भी त्याग दो। फिर बुद्धिके द्वारा सत्य और असत्यका त्याग करके परमतत्त्वके निश्चयद्वारा बुद्धिको भी त्याग दो
tyaja dharmam asaṅkalpād adharmaṃ cāpy alipsayā | ubhe satyānṛte buddhyā buddhiṃ paramaniścayāt ||
Nārada said: Renounce even ‘dharma’ by becoming free from compulsive intention, and renounce ‘adharma’ as well by the absence of craving. Then, with clear discernment, abandon both truth and untruth; and by firm certainty in the Supreme Reality, relinquish even the intellect itself. The teaching points beyond moral self-assertion toward inner freedom, where action is no longer driven by desire, and even conceptual supports are finally let go in realization.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches progressive renunciation: first give up attachment to ‘being righteous’ (dharma) by dropping ego-driven intention, and give up ‘unrighteousness’ by eliminating craving. Then transcend the conceptual pair of truth/untruth, and finally relinquish reliance on the intellect itself through unwavering realization of the Supreme—pointing to liberation beyond moral and cognitive dualities.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on liberation, Nārada delivers a concise, ascetic-philosophical counsel: ethical discipline begins with purifying motive and desire, but the ultimate aim is to go beyond all constructed opposites and rest in certainty of the highest reality.