अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
ऋषिणोद्दालकेनापि श्वेतकेतुर्महातपा: । मिथ्या विप्रानुपचरन् संत्यक्तो दयित: सुत:
ṛṣiṇoddālakena api śvetaketur mahātapāḥ | mithyā viprān upacaran saṃtyakto dayitaḥ sutaḥ ||
Bahkan resi Uddālaka pun menolak putranya yang tercinta, Śvetaketu—seorang pertapa besar—semata-mata karena satu kesalahan ini: ia memperlakukan para brāhmaṇa dengan dusta dan tipu daya.
भीष्म उवाच
Truthful, straightforward conduct—especially toward the learned and worthy—is a central requirement of dharma; even great austerity or personal affection cannot excuse deceit.
Bhīṣma cites an example: the sage Uddālaka renounced his own beloved son Śvetaketu because Śvetaketu behaved falsely and deceitfully toward brāhmaṇas.