Shloka 24
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 28: Dharmādharmalakṣaṇa in Āpad
Crisis-Discernment of Right and Wrong
(अधीयीत क्षत्रियो5थो यजेत दद्याद् दानं न तु याचेत किंचित् । न याजयेन्नापि चाध्यापयीत एष स्मृतः क्षत्रधर्म: पुराण: ।।
adhīyīta kṣatriyo 'tho yajeta dadyād dānaṃ na tu yāceta kiñcit | na yājayen nāpi cādhyāpayīta eṣa smṛtaḥ kṣatradharmaḥ purāṇaḥ ||
Wika ni Vāyu: “Ang isang kṣatriya ay dapat magsagawa ng banal na pag-aaral, maghandog ng sakripisyo, at magbigay ng kawanggawa; ngunit hindi dapat mamalimos ng anuman. Hindi siya dapat magpaganap ng sakripisyo para sa iba, ni dapat gawing hanapbuhay ang pagtuturo. Ito, ayon sa tradisyon, ang sinaunang dharma ng mandirigmang-pinuno—may pagpipigil sa sarili, mapagbigay, nagsasarili, at nakatuon sa tungkulin, hindi sa kabuhayang mula sa gawaing pari o guro.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines an ‘ancient’ kṣatriya code: study and uphold sacred learning, perform sacrifices, give charity, and maintain independence by not begging; additionally, a kṣatriya should not adopt priestly officiation or professional teaching, preserving clear boundaries of social duty and focusing on protection and governance.
Vāyu is instructing about proper conduct (dharma) for the warrior-ruler class. In the Udyoga Parva’s broader ethical discussions before the great war, such teachings frame what righteous leadership and disciplined action should look like.