Shloka 873
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
श्र॒त्वा गृध्रस्य वचनं पापस्येहाकृतात्मन: । मनुष्यो! यह गीध तो बड़ा पापी और अपवित्र हृदयवाला है। इसकी बात सुनकर तुमलोग पुत्रशोकसे जलते हुए भी क्यों लौटे जा रहे हो?
śrutvā gṛdhrasya vacanaṃ pāpasyaihākṛtātmanaḥ | manuṣyāḥ! ayaṃ gīdh tu baḍā pāpī ca apavitra-hṛdayavālaḥ | asya bātaṃ śrutvā tum log putra-śokase jvalate hue bhī kyoṃ lauṭe jā rahe ho? ||
Wika ni Jambuka: “Matapos marinig ang mga salita ng buwitreng iyon—makasalanan at maruming-loob—o mga tao, ang ibong ito’y tunay na napakasama at marumi ang puso. Kahit naglalagablab kayo sa dalamhati para sa inyong anak, bakit kayo bumabalik matapos siyang pakinggan?”
जम्बुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not be swayed by the counsel of a morally corrupt speaker; ethical discernment requires judging advice by the character and intent behind it, especially in moments of intense grief.
Jambuka rebukes a group of men who, despite being overwhelmed by sorrow for their son, begin to turn back after hearing the vulture’s words; he warns them that the vulture is sinful and impure-hearted, implying its advice is untrustworthy.