Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 31
अव्यक्त-मानस-सृष्टिवादः
Doctrine of Creation from the Unmanifest ‘Mānasa’
बुद्धिमन्तं च शूरं च मूढं भीरुं जडं कविम् । दुर्बलं बलवन्तं च भागिनं भजते सुखम्
buddhimantaṃ ca śūraṃ ca mūḍhaṃ bhīruṃ jaḍaṃ kavim | durbalaṃ balavantaṃ ca bhāginaṃ bhajate sukham
The Brāhmaṇa said: Happiness attaches itself to many kinds of people alike—whether one is intelligent or heroic, foolish or fearful, dull-witted or a poet; whether weak or strong. It seeks out the one who has a rightful share and knows how to partake of it.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Happiness is not the exclusive result of intelligence, bravery, artistry, or strength; it can come to very different temperaments and capacities. The verse emphasizes the role of one’s ‘share’ (bhāga)—one’s due portion or rightful lot—and the ability to partake of it properly, suggesting a dharmic acceptance of one’s portion and a measured enjoyment rather than pride in qualities.
In Śānti Parva’s didactic setting, a Brāhmaṇa speaker offers a reflective maxim about sukha (happiness). He lists contrasting human types (wise/foolish, brave/timid, weak/strong, dull/poetic) to show that worldly well-being does not reliably follow visible merits, and he points instead to ‘bhāgin’—the one who has a share and partakes of it—as the one to whom happiness resorts.