Shloka 154
प्रियो भवति दानेन प्रियवादेन चापर:,मन्त्रहोमजपैरन्य: कार्यार्थ प्रीयते जन: । “कोई दान देनेसे प्रिय होता है, कोई प्रिय वचन बोलनेसे प्रीतिपात्र बनता है और कोई कार्यसिद्धिके लिये मन्त्र, होम एवं जप करनेसे प्रेमका भाजन बन जाता है
priyo bhavati dānena priyavādena cāparaḥ | mantrahomajapair anyaḥ kāryārthaṁ prīyate janaḥ ||
Bhishma said: A person becomes dear through generosity; another wins affection through pleasing speech. Yet another gains people’s goodwill by performing mantra-recitation, sacrificial offerings (homa), and japa for the sake of accomplishing a task. Thus, people are pleased by different means, according to their aims and dispositions.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that people’s goodwill is gained through different avenues—generosity, pleasing speech, or ritual/spiritual acts—often shaped by one’s purpose (kāryārtha) and the audience’s disposition. Ethical conduct includes knowing which means are appropriate and not mistaking external acts for inner virtue.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on dharma and practical governance. Here he notes, in a concise observation, the various ways individuals seek and obtain favor or affection in society.