Shloka 160
त्रिवर्गविचारः
Tri-varga Deliberation: Dharma, Artha, Kāma
इति श्रीमहाभारते शान्तिपर्वणि आपद्धर्मपर्वणि दमक थने षष्ट्यधिकशततमो< ध्याय:,इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत शान्तिपर्वके अन्तर्गत आपद्धर्मपर्वमें दमका वर्णनविषयक एक सौ साठवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
iti śrīmahābhārate śāntiparvaṇi āpaddharmaparvaṇi damakathane ṣaṣṭyadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ |
Thus, in the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the Śānti Parvan—specifically the section on dharma in times of distress (Āpaddharma Parvan)—the one-hundred-and-sixtieth chapter, dealing with the account of Dama, comes to an end. This colophon marks the close of a didactic unit, situating the preceding narrative as guidance on right conduct under adversity.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
As a chapter-colophon, the verse itself teaches by framing: it signals that the preceding material belongs to Āpaddharma—ethical reasoning for times of crisis—implying that dharma is context-sensitive and must be applied with discernment under adversity.
Vaiśampāyana’s narration reaches a formal close for the unit: the account concerning Dama within the Āpaddharma section of the Śānti Parvan is concluded, and the text marks the completion of the 160th chapter.