Shloka 3
Adhyāya 270 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on saṃnyāsa; Bhīṣma on calculable time, tamas, and karma
Vṛtra–Uśanā exemplum begins
अधनो ब्राह्मण: कश्रित् कामाद्ू धर्ममवैक्षत । यज्ञार्थ सततोर्डर्थार्थी तपो5तप्यपत दारुणम्
Bhīṣma uvāca — adhano brāhmaṇaḥ kaścit kāmād dharmam avekṣata | yajñārthaṃ satato ’rthārthī tapo ’tapyata dāruṇam ||
Bhishma sprach: „Einst gab es einen armen Brahmanen, der, vom Begehren getrieben, beschloss, dem Dharma zu folgen. Da er unablässig nach Reichtum verlangte, um ein Opfer (Yajña) zu vollziehen, unterzog er sich einer überaus strengen Askese.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the pursuit of dharma can be complicated when it is propelled by kāma (desire). Even a religious aim like performing a yajña may become ethically ambiguous if one’s inner motive is primarily craving for wealth; it invites reflection on purity of intention versus outwardly pious action.
Bhishma introduces a story: a poor Brahmin, wanting to perform a sacrifice but lacking resources, becomes intensely focused on acquiring wealth and therefore undertakes severe austerities to obtain the means.