Adhyāya 39 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on attachment (saṅga) and relational restraint
श्रुत्वा च नावजानामि नापराध्यामि कर्हिचित् । अभ्यर्च्यभ्यनुपृच्छामि पादौ गृह्नामि धीमताम्
śrutvā ca nāvajānāmi nāparādhyāmi karhicit | abhyarcyābhyānupṛcchāmi pādau gṛhṇāmi dhīmatām ||
Après les avoir écoutés, je ne les méprise pas et je ne les offense jamais. Après les avoir honorés, je m’enquiers de leur bien-être et je saisis les pieds des sages—surtout ceux des brāhmaṇas au discernement aigu—manifestant révérence et retenue comme règle de conduite.
शम्बर उवाच
The verse teaches dhārmic conduct toward the wise: listen without contempt, avoid causing offense, honor them, inquire after their well-being, and show humility through traditional gestures of reverence.
Śambara describes his own disciplined behavior toward learned and wise people—especially brāhmaṇas—emphasizing that he neither disregards nor harms them, but instead worships, greets, and respectfully takes their feet.