Shloka 25
स्कन्दोपाख्यानम् — उत्पातशान्तिः, स्वाहारूपविचारः, कौमारमङ्गलक्रियाः
अनुकूलं तथा वच्मि विप्रियं परिवर्जये । अधर्मेणापि संयुक्त प्रियमाभ्यां करोम्पहम्,मैं वही बात बोलता हूँ, जो इनके मनके अनुकूल हो, जो इन्हें प्रिय न लगे, ऐसी बात मुँहले कभी नहीं निकालता। इनको पसंद हो, तो मैं अधर्मयुक्त कार्य भी कर सकता हूँ
anukūlaṃ tathā vacmi vipriyaṃ parivarjaye | adharmeṇāpi saṃyuktaḥ priyam ābhyāṃ karomy aham ||
Disse o caçador: “Eu falo apenas o que convém ao ânimo deles e evito palavras que os desagradem. Mesmo que isso se associe ao que é injusto, faço o que lhes é agradável.”
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral pitfall: tailoring speech and actions solely to please others can lead to compromising dharma. It implicitly warns that ‘pleasantness’ is not a sufficient ethical standard, especially when it becomes a justification for adharma.
The hunter (vyādha) explains his habitual conduct: he speaks only agreeable words, avoids anything that might offend, and admits he may even engage in unrighteous acts if they are pleasing to those he seeks to satisfy.