ये पापा इति विख्याताः संवासे परिगर्हिताः ॥
युक्ताश् चान्यैर् महादोषैर् ये नरास् तान् विवर्जयेत् ॥
निवर्तमाने सौहार्दे प्रीतिर् नीचे प्रणश्यति ॥
या चैव फलनिर्वृत्तिः सौहृदे चैव यत् सुखम् ॥
यतते चापवादाय यत्नम् आरभते क्षये ॥
अल्पे ऽप्य् अपकृते मोहान् न शान्तिम् उपगच्छति ॥
तादृशैः संगतं नीचैर् नृशंसैर् अकृतात्मभिः ॥
निशाम्य निपुणं बुद्ध्या विद्वान् दूराद् विवर्जयेत् ॥
यो ज्ञातिम् अनुगृह्णाति दरिद्रं दीनम् आतुरम् ॥
स पुत्रपशुभिर् वृद्धिं यशश् चाव्ययम् अश्नुते ॥
ye pāpā iti vikhyātāḥ saṃvāse parigarhitāḥ ||
yuktāś cānyair mahādoṣair ye narās tān vivarjayet ||
nivartamāne sauhārde prītir nīce praṇaśyati ||
yā caiva phalanirvṛttiḥ sauhṛde caiva yat sukham ||
yatate cāpavādāya yatnam ārabhate kṣaye ||
alpe 'py apakṛte mohān na śāntim upagacchati ||
tādṛśaiḥ saṃgataṃ nīcair nṛśaṃsair akṛtātmabhiḥ ||
niśāmya nipuṇaṃ buddhyā vidvān dūrād vivarjayet ||
yo jñātim anugṛhṇāti daridraṃ dīnam āturam ||
sa putrapaśubhir vṛddhiṃ yaśaś cāvyayam aśnute ||
One should also avoid those people who are marked by such grave faults. When the occasion that gave rise to friendship comes to an end in friendship with those of low character, the beneficial fruit of that bond, as well as the happiness that could be drawn from it, all comes to an end as well. Then they set about speaking ill of their (departed) friend and try to do him harm, and even if the loss they suffer is quite small, for want of self-control they are still unable to find peace. The learned man, examining everything carefully and reflecting well, should from afar avoid friendship with such base and malicious people. He who helps his poor, wretched, and helpless kinsmen gains children and cattle and enjoys prosperity that knows no end. Those who wish for their own good should always help those close to them. Therefore, O king, by every means strive for the growth of your line. Prosperity will be yours, O king, if you deal well with all your kinsmen. Even kinsmen devoid of good qualities ought to be protected.
b659f94014e8 · published Jul 17, 2026, 4:02:44 AM UTC
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This passage (5.39.11-15) develops the central theme of the Udyoga-parva: the effort toward peace unfolds against the backdrop of an already looming war. Dharma is revealed here through speech, the choice of envoys, faithfulness to promises, and the responsibility of kings for the consequences of their decisions.