Shloka 17
अदारा-नीति
Crisis Composure) and ‘Jaya’ Śravaṇa (Morale-Instruction
इह प्राज्ञो हि पुरुष: स्वल्पमप्रियमिच्छति । यस्य स्वल्पं प्रियं लोके ध्रुवं तस्याल्पमप्रियम्
iha prājño hi puruṣaḥ svalpam apriyam icchati | yasya svalpaṃ priyaṃ loke dhruvaṃ tasyālpam apriyam ||
En este mundo, el sabio sólo desea una pequeña porción de lo desagradable. Pues aquel cuya parte de lo grato en el mundo es pequeña, con certeza tendrá también pequeña su parte de lo ingrato.
पुत्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches moderation and restraint: the wise minimize both the pursuit of pleasure and the acceptance of displeasure. By not chasing excessive worldly ‘priya’ (pleasant gains), one also avoids the inevitable ‘apriya’ (unpleasant consequences) that accompany such pursuits.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-filled setting before the great conflict, the speaker identified as “the son” offers a reflective maxim on worldly conduct: a prudent person limits desires, and thereby limits the suffering that typically follows from craving and attachment.