Shloka 77
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
नृशंसेन च वो युक्तांस्त्यजेयं शाश्वती: समा: । काले हि समनुप्राप्ते त्यक्तव्यमपि जीवनम्
nṛśaṃsena ca vo yuktāṃs tyajeyaṃ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ | kāle hi samanupprāpte tyaktavyam api jīvanam ||
वैशम्पायन बोले— यदि तुम नृशंसता से युक्त हो जाओ, तो मैं तुम्हें अनन्त काल तक त्याग दूँगी; क्योंकि समय उपस्थित हो जाने पर जीवन तक का त्याग भी करना पड़ता है।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When the decisive moment arrives, one must uphold dharma and honor even at the cost of life; committing a base, cruel act brings lasting moral stain and social-spiritual rejection.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates a stern admonition: the addressees are warned that if they shrink from rightful action and fall into disgraceful cruelty, they will be renounced; the statement frames the coming conflict as a time when even life may need to be sacrificed for duty.