Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 32

Vidura’s Questions: How the Unchangeable Lord Relates to Māyā; Bhakti as the Remedy; Blueprint for the Coming Cosmology

Devanagari script

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां निमित्तान्यविरोधत: । वार्ताया दण्डनीतेश्च श्रुतस्य च विधिं पृथक् ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣāṇāṁ nimittāny avirodhataḥ vārtāyā daṇḍa-nīteś ca śrutasya ca vidhiṁ pṛthak

Translation

Please explain, without contradiction, the causes of dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa; and also the various means of livelihood, the principles of dandanīti (law and order), and the distinct regulations spoken in the śruti.

Synonyms

• dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣāṇām: of dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa
• dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma + artha + kāma + mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Ṣaṣṭhī (षष्ठी/6th), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); समासः—इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (fourfold)

• nimittāni: the causes/means
• nimittāni: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nimitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Prathamā (प्रथमा/1st), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन)

• avirodhataḥ: without conflict; harmoniously
• avirodhataḥ: Hetu/Prakāra (हेतु/प्रकार/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: a-virodhataḥ (अव्यय; from avirodha + tas)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), tasil-pratyaya adverb (तसिल्-प्रत्यय), manner/ablatival adverb

• vārtāyāḥ: of livelihood/commerce (vārttā)
• vārtāyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vārtā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Ṣaṣṭhī (षष्ठी/6th), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• daṇḍa-nīteḥ: of the science of punishment/politics
• daṇḍa-nīteḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daṇḍa + nīti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Ṣaṣṭhī (षष्ठी/6th), Ekavacana (एकवचन); समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (daṇḍasya nītiḥ)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय-निपात/Conjunction)

• śrutasya: of the revealed scripture (śruti)
• śrutasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śruta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग) (also used adjectivally), Ṣaṣṭhī (षष्ठी/6th), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय-निपात/Conjunction)

• vidhim: the rule/procedure
• vidhim: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (द्वितीया/2nd Accusative), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• pṛthak: separately; distinctly
• pṛthak: Prakāra (प्रकार/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pṛthak (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

Characters & Entities

• Vidura
• Maitreya

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about dharma, artha, kama, and moksha together?

This verse shows Vidura requesting a coherent, non-contradictory explanation of the proper means and methods for all four human goals—dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa—indicating they should be understood in an integrated, harmonious way.

Why did Vidura ask Maitreya about varta, danda-niti, and shruti?

In his inquiry to Maitreya, Vidura seeks a complete understanding of human life—covering practical livelihood (vārtā), righteous governance and justice (daṇḍanīti), and the authoritative Vedic injunctions (śruti)—so that spiritual aims are supported by proper worldly order.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Pursue spiritual growth without neglecting ethical livelihood, responsible civic conduct, and scriptural guidance—aligning personal goals (prosperity and pleasure) with dharma and ultimately orienting life toward liberation.