Shloka 8
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 68 — Pāṇḍavānāṃ Vanavāsa-prasthānaḥ; Duḥśāsana-nindā; Pāṇḍava-pratijñāḥ
न सकामा: परे कार्या धर्ममेवाचरोत्तमम् । भ्रातरं धार्मिकं ज्येष्ठं को$तिवर्तितुमरहति,भैया! शत्रुओंकी कामना सफल न करो; उत्तम धर्मका ही आचरण करो। भला, अपने धर्मात्मा ज्येष्ठ भ्राताका अपमान कौन कर सकता है?
na sakāmāḥ pare kāryā dharmam evācarottamam | bhrātaraṃ dhārmikaṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ ko 'tivartitum arhati, bhaiyā | śatrūṇāṃ kāmanāṃ saphalāṃ na karo; uttama dharmakā hī ācaraṇa karo | bhalā, apane dharmātmā jyeṣṭha bhrātākā apamāna kauna kara saktā hai? |
Arjuna said: “Do not act out of desire, nor in a way that serves the designs of others. Practice dharma alone—the highest course. Who could rightly overstep or dishonor one’s own eldest brother, a man devoted to righteousness? Do not let the enemies’ wishes be fulfilled; hold fast to the noblest conduct.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Act from dharma rather than desire, and do not enable an adversary’s aims; uphold righteous conduct and honor rightful familial hierarchy, especially the dharmic eldest brother.
In the Sabha Parva context of political tension and humiliation, Arjuna urges restraint and principled action: he counsels that one should not transgress against the eldest, righteous brother, nor behave in a way that grants success to enemies.