Shloka 60
Śaraṇāgata-Atithi-Dharma in the Kapota Narrative (कपोत-आख्यानम्—शरणागतधर्मः)
जानता विद्िितं धर्म न कार्यो धर्मसंकर: । मा सम धर्म परित्याक्षीस्त्वं हि धर्मभूतां वर:
jānatā vidhitaṃ dharmaṃ na kāryo dharmasaṅkaraḥ | mā sma dharmaṃ parityākṣīs tvaṃ hi dharmabhūtānāṃ varaḥ ||
आप शास्त्रविहित धर्म को जानते हैं; अतः आपके द्वारा धर्म-संकर का प्रचार नहीं होना चाहिये। धर्म का त्याग मत कीजिये, क्योंकि आप धर्मात्माओं में श्रेष्ठ माने जाते हैं।
घपच उवाच
Educational Q&A
One who knows śāstra-prescribed dharma must not create or encourage dharma-saṅkara (moral confusion). The verse urges steadfastness in dharma, especially from those seen as exemplars of righteousness.
In the didactic setting of Śānti Parva, a speaker admonishes the addressed person: since you understand the ordained law of conduct, do not spread confusion about it; remain firm in dharma because others look to you as a leading dhārmika.