Shloka 196
Adhyāya 64: Dāna-prakāra—Suvarṇa, Pānīya-dāna, Ghṛta-dāna, and Upakaraṇa-dāna
Utility Gifts
श्रिया हाभीक्ष्णं संवासो दर्पयेत् सम्प्रमोहयेत् । ब्राह्मणोंके पास यदि बहुत धन इकट्ठा हो जाय तो यह उनके लिये अनर्थका ही कारण होता है; क्योंकि लक्ष्मीका निरन्तर सहवास उन्हें दर्प और मोहमें डाल देता है
śriyā hābhīkṣṇaṃ saṃvāso darpayet sampramohayet | brāhmaṇānāṃ yadi bahu dhanaṃ saṃcīyate tad anarthāyaiva bhavati; lakṣmyā nirantara-saṃvāsaḥ tān darpe mohe ca nayati ||
Bhishma said: Constant intimacy with prosperity (Lakshmi) breeds pride and leads one into delusion. Therefore, if a Brahmin amasses great wealth, it often becomes a cause of harm for him, because unbroken association with riches tends to push him toward arrogance and moral confusion.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma warns that continual proximity to wealth tends to generate darpa (pride) and moha (delusion). For those expected to embody restraint and clarity—especially Brahmins—large accumulation can become an anartha (harm) by undermining humility, discernment, and dharmic conduct.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma is instructing Yudhishthira on dharma and proper conduct. Here he offers a moral observation: sustained association with prosperity can corrupt the mind, so one should be cautious about hoarding wealth, particularly in roles dedicated to learning, austerity, and guidance.