Shloka 31
किसी-न-किसी कामनासे संयुक्त होकर ही ऋषि-लोग तपस्यामें मन लगाते हैं। फल, मूल और पत्ते चबाकर रहते हैं। वायु पीकर मन और इन्द्रियोंका संयम करते हैं ।। वेदोपवेदेष्वपरे युक्ता: स्वाध्यायपारगा: । श्राद्धयज्ञक्रियायां च तथा दानप्रतिग्रहे,कामनासे ही लोग वेद और उपवेदोंका स्वाध्याय करते तथा उसमें पारज्गत विद्वान् हो जाते हैं। कामनासे ही श्राद्धकर्म, यज्ञकर्म, दान और प्रतिग्रहमें लोगोंकी प्रवृत्ति होती है
kasyāṃścid vā kāmanāyāṃ saṃyuktaiva munayo tapaḥ samācaranti; phala-mūla-parṇāni carvitaṃ kṛtvā vartante; vāyum āpīya mana-indriyāṇi saṃyamayanti. vedopavedeṣv apare yuktāḥ svādhyāya-pāragāḥ; śrāddha-yajña-kriyāyāṃ ca tathā dāna-pratigrahe—kāmanayāiva lokāḥ pravartante.
Bhīma says that even ascetics apply themselves to austerity while joined to some desire: they live by chewing fruits, roots, and leaves, and by ‘drinking the wind’ they restrain mind and senses. Likewise, others devote themselves to the Vedas and auxiliary sciences and become masters of recitation and study; and people engage in rites for ancestors, sacrificial acts, giving, and even accepting gifts—driven, in each case, by desire.
भीमयेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that desire (kāmanā) often underlies even seemingly spiritual acts—ascetic austerity, Vedic study, ritual, charity, and accepting gifts. It invites ethical scrutiny of intention: outwardly dharmic actions may still be driven by expectation of gain or merit.
Bhīma is speaking in the Śānti Parva’s reflective discourse, pointing out that people—including sages—undertake disciplines and religious duties with some motivating desire. He lists ascetic practices and orthodox duties to show how pervasive desire is in human action.