Shloka 17
कपिल–स्यूमरश्मि संवादः
Kapila and Syūmaraśmi on Renunciation, Householder Support, and Epistemic Authority
न भूतो न भविष्यो5स्ति न च धर्मोडस्ति कश्नन । यो5भय: सर्वभूतानां स प्राप्रोत्यभयं पदम्
na bhūto na bhaviṣyo 'sti na ca dharmo 'sti kaścana | yo 'bhayaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ sa prāpnoty abhayaṃ padam ||
Tulādhāra berkata: Bagi seseorang yang tidak terikat oleh apa yang telah dilakukan pada masa lalu, dan tidak pula terbelenggu oleh apa yang belum datang; yang baginya tiada lagi kewajipan dharma yang perlu disempurnakan; serta yang menganugerahkan rasa aman kepada semua makhluk—dialah yang mencapai kedudukan tanpa takut.
तुलाधार उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links spiritual attainment with universal non-harm: the highest ‘fearless state’ is reached by one who is no longer driven by past/future compulsions, has no remaining sense of duty-as-burden, and actively becomes a source of safety for all beings.
In the Śānti Parva’s dharma-discourse, Tūlādāra instructs on true righteousness beyond ritual or social status, emphasizing inner freedom and compassion—especially the practice of granting ‘abhaya’ (security) to all creatures.