Shloka 172
Karma, Non-Violence, Tīrtha & Gaṅgā Merit, Vaiṣṇava Protection, Śālagrāma Worship, and Ekādaśī as Deliverance
दीर्घायुषो धनाढ्याश्च भवंतीह पुनःपुनः । किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन यांत्यधर्मेण दुर्गतिम्
dīrghāyuṣo dhanāḍhyāśca bhavaṃtīha punaḥpunaḥ | kimatra bahunoktena yāṃtyadharmeṇa durgatim
قد يصيرون في هذا العالم مرارًا ذوي عمرٍ طويلٍ وثراء؛ ولكن ما جدوى الإكثار من القول؟ فبالأدهرما يمضون إلى مآلٍ شقيّ.
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Svarga-khaṇḍa discourse)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धनाढ्याश्च = धनाढ्याः + च; भवंतीह = भवन्ति + इह; बहुनोक्तेन = बहुना + उक्तेन; यांत्यधर्मेण = यान्ति + अधर्मेण.
FAQs
No. It acknowledges that people may repeatedly attain long life and wealth, but it warns that such gains, when rooted in adharma, culminate in durgati—a ruinous outcome.
Worldly prosperity is not a reliable sign of righteousness; lasting welfare depends on dharma, because adharma ultimately leads to a degraded or painful destination.
It reflects the Purāṇic view that karmic results may ripen over time: temporary success can occur, but unrighteous action eventually produces adverse consequences.