Shloka 5
Adhyāya 214: Tapas Redefined—Perpetual Discipline, Hospitality, and the Ethics of Eating (तपः-निरूपणम्, विघसाशी-अतिथिप्रिय-धर्मः)
तांस्तानुपासते धर्मान् धर्मकामा यथागमम् । न त्वेषामर्थसामान्यमन्तरेण गुणानिमान्
tāṁs tān upāsate dharmān dharmakāmā yathāgamam | na tv eṣām arthasāmānyam antareṇa guṇān imān ||
Bhishma said: Those who desire dharma undertake, in accordance with the scriptures, the various ritual duties—such as sacrifices—each in its prescribed form. Yet these practices do not yield the universally sought human end (especially liberation) unless they are accompanied by the virtues that will be described next.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Scripturally prescribed rituals and duties, though valid, do not by themselves secure the highest and universally desired end (notably liberation); they must be supported by essential virtues (guṇas) that Bhishma will enumerate next.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues advising the listener by distinguishing between performing various Vedic/ritual duties as taught in scripture and attaining the higher, common human goal, emphasizing the necessity of inner moral qualities.