Shloka 16
जनक-राज्ञः मौण्ड्य-परिव्रज्या-विवादः
Janaka’s Renunciation Questioned; Discourse on Dāna and Detachment
स्रजो गन्धानलंकारान् वासांसि विविधानि च । किमर्थमभिसंत्यज्य परिव्रजसि निष्क्रिय:,“बताइये तो सही, इन सुन्दर-सुन्दर मालाओं, सुगन्धित पदार्थों, आभूषणों और भाँति- भाँतिके वस्त्रोंकी छोड़कर किसलिये कर्महीन होकर घरका परित्याग कर रहे हैं?
srajo gandhān alaṅkārān vāsāṃsi vividhāni ca | kimartham abhisantyajya parivrajasi niṣkriyaḥ ||
Arjuna dit : «Laissant derrière toi guirlandes, parfums, ornements et vêtements de toutes sortes, pourquoi y renonces-tu et pars-tu errer, inactif, en abandonnant la maison ?»
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical tension central to Śānti Parva: renunciation is not merely abandoning luxury, but must be justified in relation to dharma and purposeful conduct. Arjuna challenges ‘inaction’ (niṣkriyatā) and asks what principled reason warrants leaving household responsibilities.
Arjuna addresses someone who is giving up signs of worldly life—garlands, perfumes, ornaments, and fine clothing—and choosing the life of a wandering renunciant. He questions the motive: why abandon the home and become inactive?