Shloka 38
जनक-राज्ञः मौण्ड्य-परिव्रज्या-विवादः
Janaka’s Renunciation Questioned; Discourse on Dāna and Detachment
एवं धर्ममनुक्रान्ता: सदा दानतपःपरा: | आनृशंस्यगुणोपेता: कामक्रोधविवर्जिता:
evaṁ dharmam anukrāntāḥ sadā dāna-tapaḥ-parāḥ | ānṛśaṁsya-guṇopetāḥ kāma-krodha-vivarjitāḥ ||
Arjuna disse: “Se caminharmos continuamente pela senda do dharma—sempre devotados à generosidade e à austeridade—dotados das virtudes da compaixão e da não crueldade, e livres das faltas do desejo e da ira, então, tomando refúgio em dádivas nobres e na conduta justa, permanecendo empenhados na proteção do povo e continuando a servir mestres e veneráveis anciãos, alcançaremos o mundo que buscamos.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that steadfast adherence to dharma is expressed through concrete virtues: generosity (dāna), disciplined austerity (tapas), compassion/non-cruelty (ānṛśaṁsya), and self-mastery by abandoning desire and anger. Such a life—also marked by responsible governance and service to elders—leads to the attainment of one’s desired spiritual goal.
Arjuna speaks reflectively, outlining a program of righteous living and rulership: follow dharma consistently, cultivate compassion, restrain passions like desire and anger, uphold charitable and moral conduct, protect the people, and serve teachers and elders—affirming that these practices secure the sought-after higher realm.