Shloka 25
Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 132 — Vidura’s Counsel on Udyama, Yaśas, and Kṣātra-Dharma
Devanagari script
न त्वेव जालमीं कापालीं वृत्तिमेषितुमहसि
Transliteration
na tveva jālamīṁ kāpālīṁ vṛttim eṣitum arhasi
Translation
然而你不应——断然不应——去谋求以织网者之业，或以持颅苦行者（迦波利迦，Kapālika）之道为生。
Word by Word
नnot
न:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootन
तुbut
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
एवindeed/just
एव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएव
जालमीम्deceitful/ensnaring (jālamayī)
जालमीम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootजालमी
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
कापालीम्of a Kāpālika / beggar-ascetic-like
कापालीम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootकापाली
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
वृत्तिम्mode of life; livelihood; conduct
वृत्तिम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवृत्ति
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
एषितुम्to seek; to pursue
एषितुम्:
TypeVerb
Rootइष्
FormTumun (infinitive), Parasmaipada (usage)
अर्हसिyou ought; you are fit
अर्हसि:
TypeVerb
Rootअर्ह्
FormPresent, Indicative, Parasmaipada, Second, Singular
Speaker
वायुदेव उवाच
Characters & Entities
V
Vāyu (Wind-god)J
jālamī-vṛtti (net-maker’s livelihood)K
kāpālī-vṛtti (Kāpālika/skull-bearer’s livelihood)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
One should pursue a livelihood and conduct consistent with dharma—avoiding ways of living associated with entrapment, deceit, or transgressive extremes—especially when one’s role demands integrity and restraint.
Vāyu admonishes the addressed person, warning them not to adopt disreputable or unsuitable modes of living—specifically likened to a net-maker’s and a Kāpālika’s livelihood—thereby steering them toward a more fitting, righteous path.