Shloka 873
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
श्र॒त्वा गृध्रस्य वचनं पापस्येहाकृतात्मन: । मनुष्यो! यह गीध तो बड़ा पापी और अपवित्र हृदयवाला है। इसकी बात सुनकर तुमलोग पुत्रशोकसे जलते हुए भी क्यों लौटे जा रहे हो?
śrutvā gṛdhrasya vacanaṃ pāpasyaihākṛtātmanaḥ | manuṣyāḥ! ayaṃ gīdh tu baḍā pāpī ca apavitra-hṛdayavālaḥ | asya bātaṃ śrutvā tum log putra-śokase jvalate hue bhī kyoṃ lauṭe jā rahe ho? ||
Jambuka berkata: “Setelah mendengar kata-kata burung hering itu—yang berdosa dan berhati kotor—wahai manusia, burung ini benar-benar amat jahat dan busuk hatinya. Walaupun kamu sedang terbakar oleh dukacita atas anakmu, mengapa kamu berpaling pulang setelah mendengarnya?”
जम्बुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not be swayed by the counsel of a morally corrupt speaker; ethical discernment requires judging advice by the character and intent behind it, especially in moments of intense grief.
Jambuka rebukes a group of men who, despite being overwhelmed by sorrow for their son, begin to turn back after hearing the vulture’s words; he warns them that the vulture is sinful and impure-hearted, implying its advice is untrustworthy.