Shloka 37
Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
चतुर्णा यत्र वर्णानां धर्मव्यतिकरो भवेत् । न तत्र वासं कुर्वीत श्रेयोडर्थी वै कथंचन,जहाँ चारों वर्णोके धर्मोका उल्लड्घन होता हो, वहाँ कल्याणकी इच्छावाले पुरुषको किसी तरह भी नहीं रहना चाहिये
caturṇāṃ yatra varṇānāṃ dharmavyatikaro bhavet | na tatra vāsaṃ kurvīta śreyorthī vai kathaṃcana ||
Disse Nārada: Onde quer que os deveres das quatro varṇa se confundam e sejam violados, quem busca o verdadeiro bem não deve residir ali de modo algum. Evite-se tal lugar, pois viver em meio ao colapso do dharma põe em risco a própria vida ética e o bem espiritual.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
If a place is marked by the breakdown and violation of dharma—especially the confusion of duties among the four varṇas—one who seeks true welfare (śreyas) should not live there, since environment powerfully shapes conduct and spiritual progress.
Nārada is giving ethical counsel: he identifies a sign of societal decline (dharmavyatikara among the four varṇas) and advises the listener to avoid residing in such a setting, prioritizing moral and spiritual well-being.