Shloka 21
Dharmāṅgada’s Discourse (Dharmāṅgadopadeśa) in the Mohinī Episode
लुप्तेऽपि वाक्ये भविता नृपेश पापं समं ब्रह्मवधेन घोरम् । तंतासि लोके शमनस्य भूप यशःप्रणाशो भविता धरायाम् ॥ २१ ॥
lupte'pi vākye bhavitā nṛpeśa pāpaṃ samaṃ brahmavadhena ghoram | taṃtāsi loke śamanasya bhūpa yaśaḥpraṇāśo bhavitā dharāyām || 21 ||
O panginoon ng mga hari, kahit na ang binitiwang salita ay mawala, magkakaroon pa rin ng kakila-kilabot na kasalanan na katumbas ng brahma-hatya. O hari, ikaw ay mapapasailalim sa parusa ni Yama sa mundo, at sa lupa ang iyong katanyagan ay mawawasak.
Sanatkumara (teaching/admonishing a king, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
The verse warns that moral responsibility is not erased by concealment or denial; grave adharma—especially connected with falsehood or betrayal of a solemn word—ripens into heavy karmic consequence, likened to brahma-hatya, bringing both otherworldly punishment and worldly disgrace.
By stressing truth and integrity as essential dharmic foundations, it supports Bhakti indirectly: devotion to Vishnu is sustained by satya (truthfulness) and ethical conduct; hypocrisy and broken vows destroy spiritual credibility and invite karmic suffering.
It chiefly reflects Dharmashastra-style application of ethical law (not a technical Vedanga lesson), emphasizing the power of vāk (speech) and accountability for vows/utterances—principles aligned with disciplined use of language central to Vyakarana and the dharmic use of mantra and promise.