Shloka 30
उतथ्योपदेशः—राजधर्मः, दर्पनिग्रहः, प्रजारक्षणम्
Utathya’s Instruction: Royal Dharma, Restraint of Pride, Protection of Subjects
मत्तात्प्रमत्तात् पौगण्डादुन्मत्ताच्च विशेषत: । तदभ्यासादुपावर्त संहितानां च सेवनात्
mattāt pramattāt paugaṇḍād unmattāc ca viśeṣataḥ | tadabhyāsād upāvarta saṃhitānāṃ ca sevanāt ||
Utathya said: “Keep away—especially—from the intoxicated, the careless, the immature youth, and the mad. Withdraw even from habitual association with them, and avoid serving them when they gather together in close company; for such proximity and service draw one into their faults and lead to ethical decline.”
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should protect one’s character by avoiding close association and service to people who are intoxicated, heedless, immature, or mentally unstable, because habitual proximity normalizes their behavior and can corrupt one’s own judgment and conduct.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, the sage Utathya gives practical counsel: moral safety requires choosing one’s company carefully and withdrawing from environments where disorderly or irresponsible persons dominate.