Shloka 15
Sanatsujāta–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Saṃvāda: Pramāda as Mṛtyu
Chapter 42
सनत्युजात उवाच क्रोधादयो द्वादश यस्य दोषा- स्तथा नृशांसानि दशत्रि राजन् | धर्मादयो द्वादशैते पितृणां शास्त्रे गुणा ये विदिता द्विजानाम्
sanatsujāta uvāca |
krodhādayo dvādaśa yasya doṣās tathā nṛśaṃsāni daśa trī rājan |
dharmādayo dvādaśaite pitṝṇāṃ śāstre guṇā ye viditā dvijānām ||
Sanatsujāta said: “O King, there are twelve faults beginning with anger, and there are thirteen forms of cruelty (nṛśaṃsatā) found among men. In the authoritative teachings of the forefathers, twelve virtues beginning with dharma are well known among the twice-born. By knowing these, one should abandon the faults and cultivate the virtues.”
सनत्युजात उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sanatsujāta contrasts two moral lists: vices (doṣas) beginning with anger and virtues (guṇas) beginning with dharma, urging the listener—especially a ruler—to reject cruelty and cultivate the śāstrically approved virtues known among the initiated.
In the Udyoga Parva’s Sanatsujāta-upākhyāna, the sage instructs the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) on ethical discipline and right conduct, framing the coming political crisis through inner reform: mastering anger and cruelty and adhering to dharma-based virtues.