Shloka 30
Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
माता पिता बान्धवानां वरिष्ठौ भार्या जरा बीजमात्र तु पुत्र: । भ्राता शत्रु: क्लिन्नपाणिवयस्य आत्मा होक: सुखदुःखस्य भोक्ता
mātā pitā bāndhavānāṁ variṣṭhau bhāryā jarā bījamātra tu putraḥ | bhrātā śatruḥ klinnapāṇivayasya ātmā hy ekaḥ sukhaduḥkhasya bhoktā ||
梵摩达多说道：“在亲族之中，父母为最上，因为他们的慈爱出于天性。妻子如同具形的老迈，因为她耗损男子的精力；儿子不过是自身的种子——自身的一分。兄弟在分财之时便成仇敌；朋友也只在其手尚‘湿润’之时才为朋友——只要他的私利仍得满足。其实，唯有自我（我身）才被说成是受乐与受苦者。”
ब्रह्मदत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly relationships are often conditioned by biology, desire, and self-interest; therefore one should cultivate discernment and detachment. Ultimately, pleasure and pain are borne by one’s own Self, so responsibility for one’s experience and liberation cannot be outsourced to others.
In the Shanti Parva’s reflective discourse, Brahmadatta delivers a sober assessment of familial and social bonds—praising parents’ natural affection while warning that other ties (spouse, siblings, friends) can become sources of decline, rivalry, or transactional loyalty—culminating in the assertion that the Self alone truly ‘enjoys’ (experiences) happiness and sorrow.