Shloka 14
Śuka’s Manifestation from the Araṇi (Āraṇeya-janma) — शुकजन्म (आरणेय-सम्भव)
अन्योन्यमतिवर्तन्ते अन्योन्यस्पर्थिनस्तथा । ते वध्यमाना हान्योन्यं गुणै्हारिभिरव्ययै:
anyonyam ativartante anyonya-sparthinas tathā | te vadhyamānā hy anyonyaṁ guṇair hāribhir avyayaiḥ, pṛthvīnātha |
याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच—पृथ्वीनाथ! प्राणिनोऽन्योन्यमतिवर्तन्ते, अन्योन्यस्पर्धिनस्तथा। ते हन्यमाना अप्यन्योन्यं पुनरभिद्रवन्ति, गुणैर्हारिभिरव्ययैराकृष्टाः।
याज़्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse diagnoses the root of social strife: beings, captivated by attractive sense-objects and the play of guṇas, fall into rivalry, envy, and mutual harm—even while suffering the consequences. Ethical restraint and discernment are implied as the remedy.
In a didactic exchange within Śānti Parva, the sage Yājñavalkya addresses a king (“lord of the earth”), explaining why creatures repeatedly clash with one another: mutual competition and the irresistible pull of alluring objects drive them into continual conflict.