Shloka 55
Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
उपसूष्टेषु दान्तेषु दुराचारेषु साधुषु । अविनीतेषु लुब्धेषु सुमहद् दण्डधारणम्
upasūṣṭeṣu dānteṣu durācāreṣu sādhuṣu | avinīteṣu lubdheṣu sumahad daṇḍadhāraṇam ||
Wika ni Nārada: Kung saan kahit ang mga may pagpipigil-sa-sarili ay ginugulo, ang mga mabubuti ay pinahihirapan nang malupit, at ang mga walang disiplina at sakim ang nangingibabaw—kahit pa roon ay ipinapataw ang napakahigpit na parusa—hindi dapat manirahan sa gayong bansa nang walang masusing pagninilay.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A person should avoid living unthinkingly under a regime where the good are oppressed and punishment is excessively harsh; ethical discernment is required in choosing one’s place of residence and allegiance.
In Śānti Parva’s discourse on dharma and governance, Nārada describes signs of a disordered polity—where virtue is harmed and greed and indiscipline dominate—and warns against settling there without due consideration.