Shloka 24
Parāśara’s Counsel on बुद्धि (Discernment), Karma-Consequences, and Avoidance of Pāpānubandha Actions
मा कार्षी: कश्मलं शक्र कश्चिदेवेतरो यथा । आर्या युद्धे मतिं कृत्वा जहि शत्रून् सुराधिप
mā kārṣīḥ kaśmalaṁ śakra kaścid evetaro yathā | āryā yuddhe matiṁ kṛtvā jahi śatrūn surādhipa ||
Wahai Śakra, jangan jatuh ke dalam kashmala—kecut hati dan suram budi—seperti orang biasa. Wahai penguasa para dewa, teguhkan tekad mulia untuk berperang dan hancurkan musuh-musuhmu.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
A leader must not succumb to kaśmala—paralyzing dejection or cowardly confusion. One should adopt āryā mati, a noble and duty-aligned resolve, and act decisively against threats.
Vasiṣṭha addresses Indra (Śakra), urging him not to behave like an ordinary, fearful person. He exhorts Indra, as lord of the gods, to steady his mind for battle and defeat his enemies.