Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 31
मनुष्या यदि वा देवा: शरीरमुपताप्य वै | धर्मिण: सुखमेधन्ते लोभद्वेषविवर्जिता:,मनुष्य हों या देवता, जो शरीरको कष्ट देकर भी धर्माचरणमें लगे रहते हैं तथा लोभ और द्वेषका त्याग कर देते हैं, वे सुखी होते हैं
manuṣyā yadi vā devāḥ śarīram upatāpya vai | dharmiṇaḥ sukham edhante lobha-dveṣa-vivarjitāḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: Whether they are human beings or even gods, those who, though they may afflict the body through austerity and restraint, remain devoted to righteous conduct—and who have cast off greed and hatred—grow in happiness and well-being.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Happiness is not secured by indulgence but by dharma supported by self-discipline: even if bodily hardship is involved, those who live righteously and abandon greed (lobha) and hatred (dveṣa) flourish in true well-being.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous living. Here he generalizes a moral principle: across beings—human or divine—ethical conduct joined with freedom from greed and hatred results in lasting happiness.