अध्याय १२८: शिव–उमा संवादः — तिलोत्तमा, श्मशान-मेध्यता, तथा चातुर्वर्ण्य-धर्मः
Chapter 128: Śiva–Umā Dialogue—Tilottamā, the Ritual Valence of the Śmaśāna, and the Fourfold Duty-Code
पापात् प्रवर्धतो दृष्टया कल्याणानावसीदत: । ध्रुवं गर्हयसे नित्यं तेनासि हरिण: कृश:
pāpāt pravardhato dṛṣṭvā kalyāṇān avasīdataḥ | dhruvaṃ garhayase nityaṃ tenāsi hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ ||
«Voyant le péché croître et les hommes vertueux—occupés à des œuvres salutaires—être rabaissés et voués à la souffrance, tu condamnes assurément cet état de choses encore et encore. Ce blâme incessant, porté au-dedans, t’a usé ; voilà pourquoi tu es maigre et pâle comme un cerf.»
ब्राह्मण उवाच
When evil increases and the righteous suffer, a sensitive person naturally condemns such disorder; yet constant brooding over injustice can consume one’s strength. The verse highlights both moral awareness and the personal toll of sustained ethical anguish.
A Brahmin addresses someone who has become weak and pale. He explains the cause: the person keeps witnessing the rise of sin and the distress of virtuous people, and continually censures this condition, which has led to physical and mental emaciation.