Shloka 40
देवतापितृप्रश्नः — Nārada at Badarīāśrama: the ultimate referent of daiva and pitṛ worship
शुभाशुभे पुरा कृते प्रमादकर्मविप्लुते । स्मरन् पुरा न तप्यसे निधत्स्व केवलं निधिम्
śubhāśubhe purā kṛte pramāda-karma-viplute | smaran purā na tapyase nidhatsva kevalaṁ nidhim ||
व्यास उवाच—शुभाशुभे पुरा कृते प्रमादेन विप्लुते। कृतं स्मरन् मा तप्येथाः; पुरैव केवलं निधिं—ज्ञाननिधिं—निधत्स्व॥
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Past actions—whether good or bad—should not become a source of paralyzing remorse. Recognize that heedlessness leads to moral disorder, and respond by cultivating the only lasting wealth: knowledge and inner discernment, which enables right conduct going forward.
In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, Vyāsa addresses a listener burdened by memories of earlier, careless deeds. He redirects the focus from regret over the past to purposeful accumulation of wisdom before karmic consequences mature.