Shloka 2.108.4
जाबाल्युपदेशः — Jabali’s Pragmatic Counsel to Rama
तस्मान्माता पिता चेति राम सज्जेत यो नरः।उन्मत्त इव स ज्ञेयो नास्ति कश्चिद्धि कस्यचित्।।।।
dānasaṁvananā hy ete granthā medhāvibhiḥ kṛtāḥ |
yajasva dehi dīkṣasva tapas tapyasva santyaja ||
Indeed, these treatises were composed by the wise as inducements toward giving: “perform yajña,” “give dāna,” “receive dīkṣā,” “practice tapas,” “renounce,” and the like.
O Rama! one who establishes relationship by saying, 'She is my mother; he is my father' is to be regarded as a lunatic. In fact, no one belongs to any one.
It distinguishes true dharma from mere persuasion: ethical acts like dāna and tapas should be chosen from understanding and truth, not only because texts socially ‘induce’ them.
Bharata argues that scriptural injunctions can function as motivational tools, continuing his attempt to reframe what should count as a reliable guide for action.
Intellectual independence—valuing meaning and truth over conformity.