Shloka 873
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
श्र॒त्वा गृध्रस्य वचनं पापस्येहाकृतात्मन: । मनुष्यो! यह गीध तो बड़ा पापी और अपवित्र हृदयवाला है। इसकी बात सुनकर तुमलोग पुत्रशोकसे जलते हुए भी क्यों लौटे जा रहे हो?
śrutvā gṛdhrasya vacanaṃ pāpasyaihākṛtātmanaḥ | manuṣyāḥ! ayaṃ gīdh tu baḍā pāpī ca apavitra-hṛdayavālaḥ | asya bātaṃ śrutvā tum log putra-śokase jvalate hue bhī kyoṃ lauṭe jā rahe ho? ||
اس گناہگار اور ناپاک دل گِدھ کی بات سن کر—اے لوگو! یہ گِدھ تو بڑا بدکار اور مکدر دل ہے۔ پھر بھی تم بیٹے کے غم میں جلتے ہوئے اس کی بات سن کر کیوں پلٹ رہے ہو؟
जम्बुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not be swayed by the counsel of a morally corrupt speaker; ethical discernment requires judging advice by the character and intent behind it, especially in moments of intense grief.
Jambuka rebukes a group of men who, despite being overwhelmed by sorrow for their son, begin to turn back after hearing the vulture’s words; he warns them that the vulture is sinful and impure-hearted, implying its advice is untrustworthy.