Shloka 23

Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga

Non-attachment

Devanagari script

शब्दरूपरसस्पर्शान्‌ सह गन्धेन केवलान्‌ । नात्यर्थमुपसेवेत श्रेयसो$र्थी कथंचन

Transliteration

śabda-rūpa-rasa-sparśān saha gandhena kevalān | nātyartham upaseveta śreyaso'rthī kathaṃcana ||

Translation

ନାରଦ କହିଲେ—ଯେ ଶ୍ରେୟ ଚାହେ, ସେ ଶବ୍ଦ, ସ୍ପର୍ଶ, ରୂପ, ରସ ଓ ଗନ୍ଧ—ଏହି ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରିୟବିଷୟମାନଙ୍କୁ କୌଣସି ପ୍ରକାରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ସେବନ କରିବା ଉଚିତ୍ ନୁହେଁ। ପରମ ଶ୍ରେୟର ସାଧକ ପାଇଁ ଅତିଭୋଗରୁ ସଂଯମ ହିଁ ଧର୍ମ ଓ ସାଧନାର ରକ୍ଷା।

Word by Word

• शब्द: sounds (sense-object)
• शब्द: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शब्द
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• रूप: forms (visible objects)
• रूप: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• रस: tastes
• रस: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: रस
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• स्पर्शान्: touches (tactile objects)
• स्पर्शान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्पर्श
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• सह: together with
• सह: Karana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह

• गन्धेन: with smell
• गन्धेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• केवलान्: mere/only (as such)
• केवलान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केवल
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• अत्यर्थम्: excessively
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्यर्थम्

• उपसेवेत: should resort to/indulge in
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-सेव्
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-lin), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• श्रेयसः: of the good/supreme welfare
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रेयस्
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• अर्थी: one who seeks/desires
• अर्थी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्थिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कथंचन: in any way/at all
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथंचन

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Nārada

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches moderation and restraint: a person aiming at śreyas (lasting welfare) should not overindulge in the five sense-objects (sound, touch, form, taste, smell), because excessive sensory pursuit obstructs ethical steadiness and inner progress.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-oriented setting, Nārada is delivering counsel on right conduct. Here he emphasizes sense-discipline as a practical rule for one who seeks the highest good.