Shloka 68
Adhyāya 208: Aṅgirasī-kanyāḥ
Enumeration of Aṅgiras’ daughters and attribute-names
ये तु धर्मानसूयन्ते बुद्धिमोहान्विता नरा: । अपथा गच्छतां तेषामनुयाता च पीड्यते,जो मनुष्य बुद्धिमोहसे युक्त होकर धर्ममें दोष देखते हैं वे स्वयं तो कुमार्गगामी होते ही हैं, उनके पीछे चलनेवाला मनुष्य भी कष्ट पाता है
ye tu dharmān asūyante buddhimohānvitā narāḥ | apathā gacchatāṁ teṣām anuyātā ca pīḍyate ||
Mas aqueles homens que, iludidos no entendimento, encontram defeitos no dharma—esses próprios se desviam para um caminho errado; e até quem os segue é afligido e cai em desgraça. O caçador adverte que o desprezo pela retidão não engana apenas o crítico, mas também qualquer um que o tome por guia.
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fault-finding in dharma, when driven by deluded intellect, leads a person onto an unrighteous path; moreover, such a person becomes a harmful example, causing even followers to suffer. The verse stresses responsibility in judgment and leadership: misguided criticism of righteousness spreads harm.
In the Vana Parva’s dialogue where the hunter (vyādha) instructs on dharma, he cautions against people who disparage righteous conduct. He explains that their inner confusion makes them deviate, and their influence injures those who imitate or follow them.