Shloka 42
Ārjava, Satya, and the Virocana–Sudhanvan Exemplum
Udyoga-parva 35
सत्कृताश्च कृतार्थाश्च मित्राणां न भवन्ति ये । तान् मृतानपि क्रव्यादा: कृतघ्नान् नोपभुज्जते
satkṛtāś ca kṛtārthāś ca mitrāṇāṁ na bhavanti ye | tān mṛtān api kravyādāḥ kṛtaghnān nopabhuñjate ||
ヴィドゥラは宣言する。友に敬われ、恩恵を受けながら、報いて真の友とならぬ者は、忘恩の罪を負う。そのような不知恩の者は道徳的にあまりに穢れているため、死してなお屍肉を食らう者でさえその肉を口にしないという——友情を裏切り、受けた慈しみに報いぬことが、いかに重い倫理の堕落であるかを示す強い警告である。
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Gratitude and reciprocity are essential to dharma in relationships: one who receives honor and benefit must respond with loyal friendship; ingratitude (kṛtaghnatā) is portrayed as a severe moral corruption.
In Vidura’s counsel during the tense pre-war negotiations of the Udyoga Parva, he condemns those who accept favors yet refuse true friendship, using a stark image—‘even carrion-eaters won’t eat them’—to stress how reprehensible ingratitude is.