Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
चतुर्णा यत्र वर्णानां धर्मव्यतिकरो भवेत् । न तत्र वासं कुर्वीत श्रेयोडर्थी वै कथंचन,जहाँ चारों वर्णोके धर्मोका उल्लड्घन होता हो, वहाँ कल्याणकी इच्छावाले पुरुषको किसी तरह भी नहीं रहना चाहिये
caturṇāṃ yatra varṇānāṃ dharmavyatikaro bhavet | na tatra vāsaṃ kurvīta śreyorthī vai kathaṃcana ||
那罗陀言:凡四姓(四种社会阶序,varna)之法度紊乱而被违犯之处,求真实福祉者无论如何都不应居住。应当远离此地;因为处于正法崩坏之中,必危及自身的德行生活与灵性之善。
नारद उवाच
If a place is marked by the breakdown and violation of dharma—especially the confusion of duties among the four varṇas—one who seeks true welfare (śreyas) should not live there, since environment powerfully shapes conduct and spiritual progress.
Nārada is giving ethical counsel: he identifies a sign of societal decline (dharmavyatikara among the four varṇas) and advises the listener to avoid residing in such a setting, prioritizing moral and spiritual well-being.