Shloka 37
Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
चतुर्णा यत्र वर्णानां धर्मव्यतिकरो भवेत् । न तत्र वासं कुर्वीत श्रेयोडर्थी वै कथंचन,जहाँ चारों वर्णोके धर्मोका उल्लड्घन होता हो, वहाँ कल्याणकी इच्छावाले पुरुषको किसी तरह भी नहीं रहना चाहिये
caturṇāṃ yatra varṇānāṃ dharmavyatikaro bhavet | na tatra vāsaṃ kurvīta śreyorthī vai kathaṃcana ||
Dijo Nārada: Dondequiera que los deberes de los cuatro varṇa se confundan y sean transgredidos, quien busca el verdadero bien no debe residir allí de ningún modo. Evítese tal lugar, pues vivir en medio del quebranto del dharma pone en peligro la propia vida moral y el bien espiritual.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
If a place is marked by the breakdown and violation of dharma—especially the confusion of duties among the four varṇas—one who seeks true welfare (śreyas) should not live there, since environment powerfully shapes conduct and spiritual progress.
Nārada is giving ethical counsel: he identifies a sign of societal decline (dharmavyatikara among the four varṇas) and advises the listener to avoid residing in such a setting, prioritizing moral and spiritual well-being.