Shloka 14
Dharma-vyādha on the Subtlety of Dharma, Karma, and the Continuity of the Jīva (Āraṇyaka-parva 200)
अकीर्ति: कीर्त्यते लोके यस्य भूतस्य कस्यचित् | स पतत्यधमॉल्लोकान् यावच्छब्द: प्रकीर्त्यते,'संसारमें जिस किसी प्राणीकी अपकीर्ति कही जाती है--जबतक उसके अपयशका शब्द गूँजता रहता है, तबतकके लिये वह नीचेके लोकोंमें गिर जाता है
akīrtiḥ kīrtyate loke yasya bhūtasya kasyacit | sa pataty adhamāl lokān yāvac chabdaḥ prakīrtyate ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Kung sa mundong ito ang sinuman ay maging paksa ng masamang pangalan, kung gayon hangga’t patuloy na binibigkas ang balita ng kahihiyang iyon, hangga’t gayon siya’y nahuhulog sa mga mababang daigdig.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ill-fame (akīrti) is treated as a serious moral downfall: as long as one’s disgrace continues to be publicly spoken, it is said to cause a descent into lower realms—highlighting the dharmic importance of honorable conduct and the enduring power of public speech.
Vaiśampāyana delivers a general moral statement within the Vana Parva context, emphasizing consequences tied to social reputation and ethical failure, framing dishonor as an ongoing burden that persists as long as it is repeated among people.