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Shloka 96

Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)

पाण्डवा: समबोध्यन्त बाल्यात्‌ प्रभृति केशव । “केशव! बाल्यावस्थासे ही पाण्डव शंख और दुन्दुभियोंकी गम्भीर ध्वनिसे

Vaiśampāyana uvāca | pāṇḍavāḥ samabodhyanta bālyāt prabhṛti keśava | antaṃ dhīrā niṣevante madhyaṃ grāmyasukhapriyāḥ | uttamāṃś ca parikleśān bhogāṃś cātīva mānuṣān |

Vaiśampāyana disse: “Ó Keśava, desde a infância os Pāṇḍavas eram despertados pelo grave estrondo da concha e dos tambores de guerra, pelo doce som do mṛdaṅga e pela melodia da flauta.” Em seguida, enuncia um princípio ético: os firmes buscam o ‘estado final’ da experiência—uma liberdade além do prazer e da dor comuns—ao passo que os apegados aos gozos grosseiros do mundo ficam confinados ao ‘nível médio’ da satisfação. Os verdadeiramente resolutos, tomando até as maiores provações como parte do dever (dharma), suportam-nas de bom grado e, ao fim, alcançam uma plenitude que supera os prazeres meramente humanos. Assim, os sábios sustentam que atingir o estado último além das dualidades é a felicidade real; e que a condição intermediária—presa entre prazer e dor—é, em si, sofrimento.

अन्तम्the end; final state
अन्तम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootअन्त
FormMasculine/Neuter, Accusative, Singular
धीरा:steadfast (men)
धीरा::
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootधीर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
निषेवन्तेthey resort to; they enjoy
निषेवन्ते:
TypeVerb
Rootनि-सेव्
FormPresent, Third, Plural, Ātmanepada
मध्यम्the middle (state)
मध्यम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमध्य
FormMasculine/Neuter, Accusative, Singular
ग्राम्य-सुख-प्रिया:fond of worldly/ordinary pleasures
ग्राम्य-सुख-प्रिया::
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootग्राम्य + सुख + प्रिय
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
उत्तमान्highest; very great
उत्तमान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootउत्तम
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
परिक्लेशान्hardships; afflictions
परिक्लेशान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपरिक्लेश
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
भोगान्enjoyments; pleasures
भोगान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootभोग
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
अतीवexceedingly; very
अतीव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअतीव
मानुषान्human; pertaining to humans
मानुषान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootमानुष
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural

वैशम्पायन उवाच

V
Vaiśampāyana
P
Pāṇḍavas
K
Keśava (Kṛṣṇa)

Educational Q&A

The verse contrasts two orientations: the dhīra (steadfast) aim for the ‘final’ state—freedom beyond the swing of pleasure and pain—while those attached to grāmya (worldly) pleasures remain stuck in an intermediate, unstable satisfaction. True happiness is presented as the culmination beyond dualities, reached through disciplined endurance of duty-bound hardships.

Vaiśampāyana addresses Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) and refers to the Pāṇḍavas being awakened from childhood, then uses that setting to introduce a broader reflection on character: how the noble endure hardship for dharma and thereby reach a higher fulfillment than ordinary sensual enjoyment.