Shloka 41
Nārāyaṇasya Guhya-nāmāni Niruktāni (Etymologies of Nārāyaṇa’s Secret Epithets) / नारायणस्य गुह्यनामानि निरुक्तानि
त्यज धर्ममसंकल्पादधर्म चाप्यलिप्सया । उभे सत्यानृते बुद्धया बुद्धिं परमनिश्चयात्
tyaja dharmam asaṅkalpād adharmaṃ cāpy alipsayā | ubhe satyānṛte buddhyā buddhiṃ paramaniścayāt ||
Nārada said: Renounce even ‘dharma’ by becoming free from compulsive intention, and renounce ‘adharma’ as well by the absence of craving. Then, with clear discernment, abandon both truth and untruth; and by firm certainty in the Supreme Reality, relinquish even the intellect itself. The teaching points beyond moral self-assertion toward inner freedom, where action is no longer driven by desire, and even conceptual supports are finally let go in realization.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches progressive renunciation: first give up attachment to ‘being righteous’ (dharma) by dropping ego-driven intention, and give up ‘unrighteousness’ by eliminating craving. Then transcend the conceptual pair of truth/untruth, and finally relinquish reliance on the intellect itself through unwavering realization of the Supreme—pointing to liberation beyond moral and cognitive dualities.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on liberation, Nārada delivers a concise, ascetic-philosophical counsel: ethical discipline begins with purifying motive and desire, but the ultimate aim is to go beyond all constructed opposites and rest in certainty of the highest reality.