Shloka 8
Bṛhaspati’s Counsel on Contentment
Santoṣa), Restraint, and Adroha (Non-injury
यज्ञमेव प्रशंसन्ति संन्यासमपरे जना: । दानमेके प्रशंसन्ति केचिच्चैव प्रतिग्रहम्,कोई यज्ञको ही अच्छा बताते हैं तो दूसरे लोग संन्यासकी ही सराहना करते हैं। कोई दान देनेके प्रशंसक हैं तो कोई दान लेनेके
yajñam eva praśaṃsanti saṃnyāsam apare janāḥ | dānam eke praśaṃsanti kecic caiva pratigraham ||
Devastāna said: “Some people praise sacrifice alone; others praise renunciation. Some extol the giving of gifts, while others even commend the receiving of gifts.”
देवस्थान उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is approached through multiple legitimate disciplines—sacrifice (yajña), renunciation (saṃnyāsa), giving (dāna), and even the regulated acceptance of gifts (pratigraha). The verse points to diversity of ethical emphasis and implies the need for discernment rather than one-sided absolutism.
The speaker, Devastāna, is describing how different groups of people advocate different religious-ethical practices as the best path. This sets up a broader discussion on which duties are appropriate for whom and under what conditions.