Shloka 24
Parāśara’s Counsel on बुद्धि (Discernment), Karma-Consequences, and Avoidance of Pāpānubandha Actions
मा कार्षी: कश्मलं शक्र कश्चिदेवेतरो यथा । आर्या युद्धे मतिं कृत्वा जहि शत्रून् सुराधिप
mā kārṣīḥ kaśmalaṁ śakra kaścid evetaro yathā | āryā yuddhe matiṁ kṛtvā jahi śatrūn surādhipa ||
Sabi ni Vasiṣṭha: “O Śakra, huwag kang magpadala sa panghihina ng loob at duwag na asal na gaya ng karaniwang tao. O panginoon ng mga diyos, magpasiya nang marangal para sa digmaan at lipulin ang iyong mga kaaway.”
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
A leader must not succumb to kaśmala—paralyzing dejection or cowardly confusion. One should adopt āryā mati, a noble and duty-aligned resolve, and act decisively against threats.
Vasiṣṭha addresses Indra (Śakra), urging him not to behave like an ordinary, fearful person. He exhorts Indra, as lord of the gods, to steady his mind for battle and defeat his enemies.