Shloka 41
Aśmagīta: Janaka’s Inquiry on Loss, Kāla, and the Limits of Control (अश्मगीता)
अतः विवेकी पुरुषको अपने मनमें यह विचार करना चाहिये कि “मैं कहाँ हूँ, कहाँ जाऊँगा, कौन हूँ, यहाँ किसलिये आया हूँ और किसलिये किसका शोक करूँ?” ।। अनित्ये प्रियसंवासे संसारे चक्रवद्गतौ । पथि संगतमेवैतद् भ्राता माता पिता सखा,यह संसार चक्रके समान घूमता रहता है। इसमें प्रियजनोंका सहवास अनित्य है। यहाँ भ्राता, मित्र, पिता और माता आदिका साथ रास्तेमें मिले हुए बटोहियोंके समान ही है
ataḥ vivekī puruṣako 'pane manameṃ evaṃ vicāra karanā cāhiye— “ahaṃ kutra asmi, kutra gamiṣyāmi, ko 'ham, iha kasmāt āgataḥ asmi, ca kasmāt kasya śokaṃ kuryām?” || anitye priyasaṃvāse saṃsāre cakravad-gatau | pathi saṅgatam evaitad bhrātā mātā pitā sakhā ||
Por isso, o homem de discernimento deve refletir no íntimo: “Onde estou? Para onde irei? Quem sou? Por que vim aqui? E por quem, e por quê, eu deveria lamentar?” Pois este mundo gira como uma roda, e a convivência com os amados é impermanente. Aqui, irmão, mãe, pai e amigo são como viajantes encontrados na estrada.
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Janaka teaches viveka (discriminative wisdom): reflect on identity, purpose, and destiny, and recognize that worldly relationships are impermanent. Since loved ones are like fellow travelers met on a journey, excessive attachment leads to grief; understanding impermanence supports equanimity and dharmic living.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-oriented setting, Janaka speaks as a teacher-king offering counsel on sorrow and attachment. He frames family and friendship as temporary associations within saṃsāra, urging reflective inquiry to loosen grief and cultivate steadiness of mind.