Shloka 47
गण्डाने कहा--मेरे ये मालिक लोग अत्यन्त शक्तिशाली होते हुए भी जब इस भयंकर प्रतिग्रहके भयसे इतना डरते हैं, तब मेरी क्या सामर्थ्य है? मुझे तो दुर्बल प्राणियोंकी भाँति इससे बहुत बड़ा भय लग रहा है ।। पशुसख उवाच यद् वै धर्मे परं नास्ति ब्राह्मणास्तद्धनं विदु: । विनयार्थ सुविद्वांसमुपासेयं यथातथम्,पशुसखने कहा--धर्मका पालन करनेपर जिस धनकी प्राप्ति होती है, उससे बढ़कर कोई धन नहीं है। उस धनको ब्राह्मण ही जानते हैं; अतः मैं भी उसी धर्ममय धनकी प्राप्तिका उपाय सीखनेके लिये विद्वान् ब्राह्मणोंकी सेवामें लगा हूँ
paśusakha uvāca | yad vai dharme paraṁ nāsti brāhmaṇās tad dhanaṁ viduḥ | vinayārthaṁ suvidvāṁsam upāseyaṁ yathātatham ||
Paśusakha said: “Truly, there is no wealth higher than that which comes from living in accordance with dharma. The brāhmaṇas understand that to be real wealth. Therefore, in order to learn the discipline and method by which such dharma-born wealth is attained, I attach myself—humbly and as best I can—to the service of a truly learned brāhmaṇa.”
पशुसख उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the greatest ‘wealth’ is not material gain but the prosperity that arises from living by dharma. Such value is recognized by the brāhmaṇas, and the proper way to acquire it is through vinaya (humble discipline) and respectful service to the truly learned.
Paśusakha speaks in a reflective, instructive tone, declaring his intention to seek guidance from learned brāhmaṇas. He frames his pursuit as a practical apprenticeship: by serving the wise with humility, he hopes to learn the means of attaining dharma-based well-being.