Shloka 33
शान्ति पर्व (अध्याय 38): युधिष्ठिरस्य राजधर्म-जिज्ञासा तथा भीष्मोपसर्पण-प्रस्तावना | Shanti Parva Chapter 38: Yudhishthira’s Inquiry into Rajadharma and the Prelude to Approaching Bhishma
ब्राह्मणा ऊचु एष दुर्योधनसखा चार्वाको नाम राक्षस: | परिव्राजकरूपेण हित॑ तस्य चिकीर्षति,ब्राह्मण बोले--धर्मात्मन्! यह दुर्योधनका मित्र चार्वाक नामक राक्षस है, जो संन्यासीके रूपमें यहाँ आकर उसका हित करना चाहता है। हमलोग आपसे कुछ नहीं कहते हैं। आपका इस तरहका भय दूर हो जाना चाहिये। हम आशीर्वाद देते हैं कि 'भाइयोंसहित आपको कल्याणकी प्राप्ति हो”
brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ—eṣa duryodhana-sakhā cārvāko nāma rākṣasaḥ | parivrājaka-rūpeṇa iha taṃ tasya ca hitam cikīrṣati |
The brāhmaṇas said: “This is Cārvāka, a rākṣasa, a companion of Duryodhana. Having assumed the guise of a wandering renunciant, he has come here intending to promote Duryodhana’s interest. Therefore we say nothing against you; your fear should be dispelled. We bestow our blessing that you, together with your brothers, attain well-being.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is safeguarded by discernment: outward religious appearance can conceal harmful intent, so the righteous must test claims by truth and conduct. When deception is exposed, fear and moral confusion should be set aside, and rightful well-being affirmed.
A group of brāhmaṇas identify the apparent renunciant as Cārvāka, a rākṣasa allied with Duryodhana, who has come in disguise to advance Duryodhana’s cause. They reassure the addressed king (contextually, Yudhiṣṭhira) to abandon fear and offer a blessing for his welfare along with his brothers.