Shloka 5
अध्याय १७८ — प्राणवायुगतिः तथा शारीराग्निव्यवस्था
Adhyāya 178 — The courses of prāṇa-vāyu and the regulation of the bodily fire
ईहमानो धनं मड्किर्भग्नेहश्व॒ पुन: पुन: । केनचिद् धनशेषेण क्रीतवान् दम्यगोयुगम्
īhamāno dhanaṃ maṅkir bhagnehaś ca punaḥ punaḥ | kenacid dhanaśeṣeṇa krītavān damyagoyugam ||
Bhishma said: Maṅki kept striving in many ways to acquire wealth, yet his efforts repeatedly came to nothing. At last, when only a small remainder of money was left, he used it to buy a pair of young calves—setting the stage for a reflection on how relentless craving and repeated frustration can turn the mind toward discernment and restraint.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Repeated failure in the pursuit of wealth highlights the instability of external gain; the episode points toward ethical self-control and the possibility that disappointment can awaken detachment and clearer judgment.
Bhishma narrates that Maṅki repeatedly tried to earn money but kept failing; with the little money left, he finally purchases a pair of young calves, which becomes the immediate circumstance for the next events and moral reflection.