Shloka 24
विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः
Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace
नाहं कामाजन्न संरम्भान्न द्वेषान्नार्थकारणात् । न हेतुवादाल्लोभाद् वा धर्म जह्यां कथंचन,“राजन! मैं कामसे, क्रोधसे, द्वेषसे, स्वार्थवश, बहानेबाजी अथवा लोभसे भी किसी प्रकार धर्मका त्याग नहीं कर सकता
nāhaṃ kāmāj janan saṃrambhān na dveṣān nārtha-kāraṇāt | na hetu-vādāl lobhād vā dharmaṃ jahyāṃ kathaṃcana ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「王よ、いかなる場合であれ、私はダルマを捨てはしない。欲に駆られようと、軽率な怒りに燃えようと、憎しみに囚われようと、私利のためであろうと、詭弁めいた口実によろうと、貪欲によろうと——決してダルマを棄てぬ。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts unwavering commitment to dharma: one must not forsake righteousness due to desire, anger, hatred, greed, self-interest, or clever rationalizations. Ethical integrity is presented as non-negotiable, especially for those in positions of responsibility.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates a statement emphasizing steadfast adherence to dharma. Addressed to a king, it frames the moral stance expected amid escalating conflict and political pressure.