Shloka 1
Sahadeva on Attachment (mamatā), ‘mameti/na mameti’, and the Middle Path of Conduct
० गा त्रयोदशो< ध्याय: सहदेवका युधिष्टिरको ममता और आसक्तिसे रहित होकर राज्य करनेकी सलाह देना सहदेव उवाच न बाहूं द्रव्यमुत्सज्य सिद्धिर्भवति भारत । शारीर द्रव्यमुत्सृज्य सिद्धिर्भवति वा न वा,सहदेव बोले--भरतनन्दन! केवल बाहरी द्रव्यका त्याग कर देनेसे सिद्धि नहीं मिलती, शरीरसम्बन्धी द्रव्यका त्याग करनेसे भी सिद्धि मिलती है या नहीं; इसमें संदेह है
sahadeva uvāca | na bāhūn dravyam utsṛjya siddhir bhavati bhārata | śārīra-dravyam utsṛjya siddhir bhavati vā na vā ||
Sahadeva said: “O Bhārata, perfection is not attained merely by abandoning external possessions. And as for abandoning what pertains to the body itself—whether that leads to perfection or not—on this there is doubt.”
सहदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Renunciation is not validated by giving up only outward possessions; true attainment depends on deeper freedom from attachment, including subtle dependence on bodily identity and comforts—hence Sahadeva questions simplistic notions of ‘tyāga’.
In Śānti Parva, Sahadeva addresses Yudhiṣṭhira on how to rule without possessiveness and attachment, beginning by distinguishing superficial abandonment of wealth from the more difficult inner renunciation tied to the body.