Shloka 19
सौप्तिकपर्व — धृष्टद्युम्नसारथिवृत्तान्तः
Report of the Night Raid and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament
न हि प्रमादात् परमस्ति कश्रिद् वधो नराणामिह जीवलोके । प्रमत्तमर्था हि नरं समन्तात् त्यजन्त्यनर्थाक्ष समाविशन्ति
na hi pramādāt paramasti kaścid vadho narāṇām iha jīvaloke | pramattam arthā hi naraṃ samantāt tyajanty anarthāś ca samāviśanti ||
Sa mga taong nabubuhay sa mundong ito, walang mas nakamamatay na maninira kaysa sa kawalang-pagbabantay. Kapag ang tao’y naging pabaya, ang kasaganaan at mga wastong layunin ay tumatalikod sa kanya mula sa lahat ng panig; samantalang ang mga kapahamakan—hindi man lamang inanyayahan—ay sumisiksik, pumapasok, at sumasakop sa kanyang buhay.
सूत उवाच
Educational Q&A
Heedlessness (pramāda) is portrayed as the greatest ‘death’ for a person: it drives away artha (well-being, right aims, prosperity) and invites anartha (harm, calamity). The verse urges vigilance, self-control, and mindful conduct as essential to dharma and success.
In the Sauptika Parva’s reflective narration, the Sūta states a general moral principle: negligence ruins people more surely than external enemies. This functions as an ethical commentary amid the grim aftermath of nocturnal violence and its consequences.