Shloka 15
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
यदि वैरिषु भृत्येषु स्वजनव्यवहारयो: । विषयेष्विन्द्रियाणां च आकाशे मा पराक्रम
yadi vairiṣu bhṛtyeṣu svajana-vyavahārayoḥ | viṣayeṣv indriyāṇāṁ ca ākāśe mā parākrama ||
“Jika tuanku benar-benar memiliki kekuatan, tunjukkanlah keberanian di tempat yang patut diuji—melawan musuh, dalam mengurus orang tanggungan dan hamba, dalam tata laku kaum sendiri serta dalam pertikaian antara pendakwa dan tertuduh, dan dalam menundukkan godaan yang menyasar indera. Janganlah menghamburkan tenaga terhadap mereka yang berdiam di langit; pencerobohan itu tersasar dan hampa dari segi dharma.”
श्येन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strength and heroism are meaningful only when directed toward rightful arenas—defending against enemies, acting justly in social/legal dealings, and conquering one’s own senses. Misusing power against inappropriate targets is condemned.
Śyena offers counsel that reframes ‘parākrama’ (valor) as ethical discipline: prove power through responsible action in human conflicts and self-mastery, not by futile or wrongful aggression against beings ‘in the sky’ (i.e., remote or improper targets).