Shloka 14
Śuka’s Manifestation from the Araṇi (Āraṇeya-janma) — शुकजन्म (आरणेय-सम्भव)
अन्योन्यमतिवर्तन्ते अन्योन्यस्पर्थिनस्तथा । ते वध्यमाना हान्योन्यं गुणै्हारिभिरव्ययै:
anyonyam ativartante anyonya-sparthinas tathā | te vadhyamānā hy anyonyaṁ guṇair hāribhir avyayaiḥ, pṛthvīnātha |
Yājñavalkya berkata: “Wahai penguasa bumi, makhluk-makhluk terus-menerus saling melampaui dan hidup dalam persaingan satu sama lain. Sekalipun mereka sedang ‘dipukul’ oleh akibat perbuatan mereka, mereka tetap menyerang sesamanya—tertarik oleh ‘guna’ yang memikat dan seakan tak habis (yakni daya pikat objek-objek indria).”
याज़्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse diagnoses the root of social strife: beings, captivated by attractive sense-objects and the play of guṇas, fall into rivalry, envy, and mutual harm—even while suffering the consequences. Ethical restraint and discernment are implied as the remedy.
In a didactic exchange within Śānti Parva, the sage Yājñavalkya addresses a king (“lord of the earth”), explaining why creatures repeatedly clash with one another: mutual competition and the irresistible pull of alluring objects drive them into continual conflict.