Shloka 39
नरनारायण-नारदसंवादः
Nara-Nārāyaṇa–Nārada Discourse on Vision, Elements, and Entry into Vāsudeva
ऐश्वर्यमदमत्तांश्ष मत्तान् मद्यमदेन च | अप्रमत्ता: शठान् शूरा विक्रान्ता: पर्युपासते
aiśvaryamadamattāṁś ca mattān madyamadena ca | apramattāḥ śaṭhān śūrā vikrāntāḥ paryupāsate ||
Nārada dijo: «A quienes se embriagan de poder y a quienes se embriagan de vino los vigilan y los manejan con cuidado los que permanecen alerta—los astutos, los valientes y los audaces—que los sirven sólo para aprovecharse de su descuido.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and intoxication breed heedlessness; such lapses attract opportunists. Therefore, one should remain apramatta (vigilant) and not become matta through aiśvarya-mada or madyamada, since crafty and bold people may ‘attend’ only to take advantage.
In Narada’s discourse within the Shanti Parva’s instruction on conduct and governance, he observes a social pattern: the intoxicated—whether by authority or by drink—become targets for vigilant yet deceitful and forceful individuals who stay close, watching for openings.