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Mahābhārata • Parva 12 (Śāntiparva) • Adhyāya 161

Śāntiparva Adhyāya 161

शान्तिपर्व • अध्यायः 161

Śāntiparva Adhyāya 161 of the classical Mahābhārata with 49 verses.

Total: 49 Verses • Citations: MBh 12.161.1–49 • 250 Lexicon Terms • Page 1 of 2 (Verses 30 shown)
इत्युक्तवति भीष्मे तु तूष्णींभूते युधिष्ठिरः । पप्रच्छावसरं गत्वा भ्रातॄन्विदुरपञ्चमान् ॥
English Translation
Vaishampayana said When after having said this, Bhishma became silent, Yudhishthira (and the others) returned home. Addressing his brothers with Vidura forming the fifth, the king said,-'The course of the world depends upon Virtue, Profit and Desire. Amongst these three, which is the foremost, which the second, and which the last, in importance.
धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च लोकवृत्तिः समाहिता । तेषां गरीयान्कतमो मध्यमः को लघुश्च कः ॥
कस्मिंश्चात्मा नियन्तव्यस्त्रिवर्गविजयाय वै । संतुष्टा नैष्ठिकं वाक्यं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हथ ॥
English Translation
For suppressing the three vices, viz., lust, anger and covetousness), upon which of the first three (viz., Virtue, Profit and Desire) should the mind be fixed? You should all cheerfully answer this question in true words.
ततोऽर्थगतितत्त्वज्ञः प्रथमं प्रतिभानवान् । जगाद विदुरो वाक्यं धर्मशास्त्रमनुस्मरन् ॥
English Translation
Thus addressed by the Kuru chief, Vidura, who was conversant with the science of Profit, with the course of the world and with the real nature of thing, and endued with great intellect, spoke first these words, remembering the contents of the scriptures.
बाहुश्रुत्यं तपस्त्यागः श्रद्धा यज्ञक्रिया क्षमा । भावशुद्धिर्दया सत्यं संयमश्चात्मसंपदः ॥
English Translation
Vidura said Study of the various scriptures, asceticism, gift, faith, celebration of sacrifices, forgiveness, sincerity of purpose, mercy, truth, self-control,-these form the possessions of Virtue.
एतदेवाभिपद्यस्व मा ते भूच्चलितं मनः । एतन्मूलौ हि धर्मार्थावेतदेकपदं हितम् ॥
English Translation
Do you adopt Virtue. Let not your heart go away from it. Both virtue and worldly profit originate from these. I think that all these may be signified by one term.
धर्मेणैवर्षयस्तीर्णा धर्मे लोकाः प्रतिष्ठिताः । धर्मेण देवा दिविगा धर्मे चार्थः समाहितः ॥
English Translation
It is by virtue that the Rishis have crossed the world. All the worlds depend upon virtue. It is by virtue that the gods acquired their superior position. Upon Virtue, Profit or Wealth depends.
धर्मो राजन्गुणश्रेष्ठो मध्यमो ह्यर्थ उच्यते । कामो यवीयानिति च प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः । तस्माद्धर्मप्रधानेन भवितव्यं यतात्मना ॥
English Translation
Virtue, O king, is foremost of all. Profit is said to be middling. Desire it is said by the wise, is the lowest of the three.
समाप्तवचने तस्मिन्नर्थशास्त्रविशारदः । पार्थो वाक्यार्थतत्त्वज्ञो जगौ वाक्यमतन्द्रितः ॥
English Translation
After Vidura had finished his say, Pritha's son Arjuna, well-skilled in the science of Profit, and conversant also with the truths of both Virtue and Profit, urged urged on (by Yudhishthira's question), said.
कर्मभूमिरियं राजन्निह वार्त्ता प्रशस्यते । कृषिवाणिज्यगोरक्ष्यं शिल्पानि विविधानि च ॥
अर्थ इत्येव सर्वेषां कर्मणामव्यतिक्रमः । न ऋतेऽर्थेन वर्तेते धर्मकामाविति श्रुतिः ॥
English Translation
Arjuna said This world O king, is the field of work. Action, therefore, is spoken highly of here. Agriculture, trade, tending of cattle, and various kinds of arts, form what is called profit. Profit, again, is the end of all such acts. Without profit or wealth, both virtue and desire cannot be acquired. This is the injunction of the Shruti.
विजयी ह्यर्थवान्धर्ममाराधयितुमुत्तमम् । कामं च चरितुं शक्तो दुष्प्रापमकृतात्मभिः ॥
English Translation
Even persons of impure souls, if possessed of various sorts of wealth, can perform the highest acts of virtue and gratify desires that cannot be easily satisfied.
अर्थस्यावयवावेतौ धर्मकामाविति श्रुतिः । अर्थसिद्ध्या हि निर्वृत्तावुभावेतौ भविष्यतः ॥
English Translation
Virtue and Desire are the limbs of Wealth as the Shruti says. With the acquisition of Wealth, both Virtue and the objects of desire may be acquired.
उद्भूतार्थं हि पुरुषं विशिष्टतरयोनयः । ब्रह्माणमिव भूतानि सततं पर्युपासते ॥
English Translation
Like all creatures adoring Brahman, even persons of superior birth adore man possessed of Wealth.
जटाजिनधरा दान्ताः पङ्कदिग्धा जितेन्द्रियाः । मुण्डा निस्तन्तवश्चापि वसन्त्यर्थार्थिनः पृथक् ॥
English Translation
Even they who are clad in deerskins and bear matted locks on their heads, who are selfcontrolled, who smear their bodies with mire, who have their senses under complete control, even they who have bald heads and that are devoted Brahmacharins, and ad who live separated from one another, cherish a desire for Wealth.
काषायवसनाश्चान्ये श्मश्रुला ह्रीसुसंवृताः । विद्वांसश्चैव शान्ताश्च मुक्ताः सर्वपरिग्रहैः ॥
अर्थार्थिनः सन्ति केचिदपरे स्वर्गकाङ्क्षिणः । कुलप्रत्यागमाश्चैके स्वं स्वं मार्गमनुष्ठिताः ॥
English Translation
Other clad in yellow robes, bearing long beards endued with modesty, and learning, contented, and freed from all attachments seek Wealth. Others, following the conduct of their ancestors, and observing their respective duties, and others desirous of heaven, do the same.
आस्तिका नास्तिकाश्चैव नियताः संयमे परे । अप्रज्ञानं तमोभूतं प्रज्ञानं तु प्रकाशता ॥
English Translation
Believers and unbelievers, and those who practise the highest Yoga all speak of the excellence of Wealth.
भृत्यान्भोगैर्द्विषो दण्डैर्यो योजयति सोऽर्थवान् । एतन्मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ मतं मम यथातथम् । अनयोस्तु निबोध त्वं वचनं वाक्यकण्ठयोः ॥
English Translation
He, indeed, is said to be truly possessed of Wealth who pleases his dependants with objects of enjoyment, and punishes his enemies. This, O foremost of intelligent men, is my opinion. Hear now Nakula and Sahadeva, who are about to speak.
ततो धर्मार्थकुशलौ माद्रीपुत्रावनन्तरम् । नकुलः सहदेवश्च वाक्यं जगदतुः परम् ॥
English Translation
After Arjuna had ceased, the two sons of Madri, viz., Nakula and Sahadeva, said these words of high import.
आसीनश्च शयानश्च विचरन्नपि च स्थितः । अर्थयोगं दृढं कुर्याद्योगैरुच्चावचैरपि ॥
English Translation
Sitting or lying, walking or standing, one should try to acquire Wealth even by the most difficult means.
अस्मिंस्तु वै सुसंवृत्ते दुर्लभे परमप्रिये । इह कामानवाप्नोति प्रत्यक्षं नात्र संशयः ॥
English Translation
If Wealth, which is difficult of acquisition and highly agreeable, be acquired, the person who has acquired it, forsooth, is seen to earn all the objects of Desire.
योऽर्थो धर्मेण संयुक्तो धर्मो यश्चार्थसंयुतः । मध्विवामृतसंयुक्तं तस्मादेतौ मताविह ॥
English Translation
That Wealth which is connected with Virtue, as also that Virtue which is connected with Wealth, is certainly like ambrosia. For this reason we hold these opinions.
अनर्थस्य न कामोऽस्ति तथार्थोऽधर्मिणः कुतः । तस्मादुद्विजते लोको धर्मार्थाद्यो बहिष्कृतः ॥
English Translation
A person without wealth cannot satisfy any desire; likewise, there can be no Wealth in one who is destitute of virtue. He, therefore, who has no virtue, or wealth, is feared by the world.
तस्माद्धर्मप्रधानेन साध्योऽर्थः संयतात्मना । विश्वस्तेषु च भूतेषु कल्पते सर्व एव हि ॥
English Translation
One should, therefore, try to acquire Wealth with a devoted mind, without neglecting the requirements of Virtue. They who have faith in this injunction succeed in gaining whatever they desire.
धर्मं समाचरेत्पूर्वं तथार्थं धर्मसंयुतम् । ततः कामं चरेत्पश्चात्सिद्धार्थस्य हि तत्फलम् ॥
English Translation
One should first practise Virtue; next amass Wealth without sacrificing virtue; and then seek the gratification of Desire; for this should be the last act of one who has successfully acquired Wealth.
विरेमतुस्तु तद्वाक्यमुक्त्वा तावश्विनोः सुतौ । भीमसेनस्तदा वाक्यमिदं वक्तुं प्रचक्रमे ॥
English Translation
Vaishampayana continued After having said these words, the twin son of the Ashvins remained silent. Then Bhimasena began to say.
नाकामः कामयत्यर्थं नाकामो धर्ममिच्छति । नाकामः कामयानोऽस्ति तस्मात्कामो विशिष्यते ॥
English Translation
Bhimasena said One without Desire never seeks Wealth. One without Desire never seeks Virtue. One who is destitute of Desire has no wish. Desire, therefore, is the foremost of all the three.
कामेन युक्ता ऋषयस्तपस्येव समाहिताः । पलाशफलमूलाशा वायुभक्षाः सुसंयताः ॥
English Translation
It is under the influence of Desire that the very Rishis practise penances, living upon fruits, or living upon roots or air only.
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