Shloka 30
उतथ्योपदेशः—राजधर्मः, दर्पनिग्रहः, प्रजारक्षणम्
Utathya’s Instruction: Royal Dharma, Restraint of Pride, Protection of Subjects
मत्तात्प्रमत्तात् पौगण्डादुन्मत्ताच्च विशेषत: । तदभ्यासादुपावर्त संहितानां च सेवनात्,मतवाले, प्रमादी, बालक तथा विशेषत: पागलोंसे बचो। उनके निकट-सम्पर्कसे भी दूर रहो और यदि वे एक साथ रहकर सेवा करना चाहें तो उनकी उस सेवासे भी सर्वथा बचे रहो
mattāt pramattāt paugaṇḍād unmattāc ca viśeṣataḥ | tadabhyāsād upāvarta saṃhitānāṃ ca sevanāt ||
Utathya dijo: «Mantente alejado—en especial—del ebrio, del negligente, del joven inmaduro y del demente. Retírate incluso de la compañía habitual con ellos, y evita servirles cuando se reúnen estrechamente en grupo; pues tal cercanía y servicio arrastran a uno a sus faltas y conducen a la decadencia moral.»
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should protect one’s character by avoiding close association and service to people who are intoxicated, heedless, immature, or mentally unstable, because habitual proximity normalizes their behavior and can corrupt one’s own judgment and conduct.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, the sage Utathya gives practical counsel: moral safety requires choosing one’s company carefully and withdrawing from environments where disorderly or irresponsible persons dominate.