Shloka 37
Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
चतुर्णा यत्र वर्णानां धर्मव्यतिकरो भवेत् । न तत्र वासं कुर्वीत श्रेयोडर्थी वै कथंचन,जहाँ चारों वर्णोके धर्मोका उल्लड्घन होता हो, वहाँ कल्याणकी इच्छावाले पुरुषको किसी तरह भी नहीं रहना चाहिये
caturṇāṃ yatra varṇānāṃ dharmavyatikaro bhavet | na tatra vāsaṃ kurvīta śreyorthī vai kathaṃcana ||
ナーラダは言った。「四つのヴァルナの務めが乱れ、踏みにじられるところでは、真の福利を求める者はどのような形であれ住んではならぬ。その地を避けよ。ダルマの崩壊のただ中に住むことは、自らの徳の生活と霊的な善を危うくするからである。」
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
If a place is marked by the breakdown and violation of dharma—especially the confusion of duties among the four varṇas—one who seeks true welfare (śreyas) should not live there, since environment powerfully shapes conduct and spiritual progress.
Nārada is giving ethical counsel: he identifies a sign of societal decline (dharmavyatikara among the four varṇas) and advises the listener to avoid residing in such a setting, prioritizing moral and spiritual well-being.