Ārjava, Satya, and the Virocana–Sudhanvan Exemplum
Udyoga-parva 35
सत्कृताश्च कृतार्थाश्च मित्राणां न भवन्ति ये । तान् मृतानपि क्रव्यादा: कृतघ्नान् नोपभुज्जते
satkṛtāś ca kṛtārthāś ca mitrāṇāṁ na bhavanti ye | tān mṛtān api kravyādāḥ kṛtaghnān nopabhuñjate ||
毗度罗宣言:有些人虽受朋友礼敬、得其恩惠,却不以真心为友相报,此乃忘恩负义。此等薄恩之人道德污秽至极,据说即便食腐之兽也不肯啖其尸肉,纵其已死亦然——以此严厉告诫:背弃友谊、不报恩德,乃重大的伦理堕落。
विदुर उवाच
Gratitude and reciprocity are essential to dharma in relationships: one who receives honor and benefit must respond with loyal friendship; ingratitude (kṛtaghnatā) is portrayed as a severe moral corruption.
In Vidura’s counsel during the tense pre-war negotiations of the Udyoga Parva, he condemns those who accept favors yet refuse true friendship, using a stark image—‘even carrion-eaters won’t eat them’—to stress how reprehensible ingratitude is.