Shloka 15
अध्याय १५२: लोभः पापस्य मूलम् — Greed as the Root of Wrongdoing
जनमेजय उवाच अनुतप्ये च पापेन न च धर्म विलोपये । बुभूषुं भजमानं च प्रीतिमानू भव शौनक
janamejaya uvāca | anutapye ca pāpena na ca dharma-vilopaye | bubhūṣuṁ bhajamānaṁ ca prītimān bhava śaunaka ||
Dijo Janamejaya: «¡Oh Śaunaka! Me consume un hondo arrepentimiento por mi pecado, y jamás volveré a permitir que el dharma sea menguado. Anhelo el verdadero bien y la liberación; por ello, oh Śaunaka, muéstrate benévolo y favorable conmigo, tu devoto buscador.»
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes ethical self-correction: genuine remorse for wrongdoing should lead to a firm resolve to protect dharma (right order and conduct) and to seek guidance with humility and devotion.
King Janamejaya addresses the sage Śaunaka, confessing remorse over sin and declaring that he will not allow dharma to decline; he asks the sage to be pleased with him and to guide him toward spiritual welfare.