Shloka 18
Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
पापकर्मसे दूर रहना, निरन्तर पुण्यकर्मोमें लगे रहना और सत्पुरुषोंक साथ रहकर सदाचारका ठीक-ठीक पालन करना--यह संशयरहित कल्याणका मार्ग है ।।
pāpakarmase dūra rahanā, nirantara puṇyakarmomeṃ lage rahanā aura satpuruṣoṃ ke sātha rahakara sadācāra kā ṭhīk-ṭhīk pālana karanā—yaha saṃśayarhita kalyāṇa kā mārga hai. mārdavaṃ sarvabhūteṣu vyavahāreṣu cārjavam | vāk caiva madhurā proktā śreya etad asaṃśayam ||
Nārada dit : «Se tenir loin des actes fautifs, demeurer sans cesse engagé dans les œuvres méritoires, et vivre auprès des hommes de bien en pratiquant avec soin la juste conduite : tel est un chemin de prospérité, sans doute possible. La douceur envers tous les êtres, la droiture dans les affaires, et une parole suave : cela aussi est, sans doute, une voie vers le bien suprême.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a clear ethical program: avoid sinful deeds, persist in meritorious actions, keep the company of the virtuous, and practice good conduct. It further specifies three everyday virtues—gentleness toward all beings, straightforward dealings, and sweet speech—as a certain path to true welfare (kalyāṇa/śreyas).
In Śānti Parva’s instruction-focused setting, the sage Nārada speaks as a moral teacher, summarizing practical dharma. Rather than describing an event, the passage functions as counsel—laying down behavioral markers by which a listener can reliably pursue well-being and the higher good.