Shloka 2

चिरकारि-उपाख्यानम् / The Exemplum of Cirakārī: Deliberation Before Irreversible Action

Devanagari script

धर्मस्त्वयमिहार्थ: किममुत्रार्थोडपि वा भवेत्‌ | उभयार्थों हि वा धर्मस्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह,पितामह! इस लोकमें सुख पानेके लिये जो कर्म किया जाता है, वही धर्म है या परलोकमें कल्याणके लिये जो कुछ किया जाता है, उसे धर्म कहते हैं? अथवा लोक- परलोक दोनोंके सुधारके लिये कुछ किया जानेवाला कर्म ही धर्म कहलाता है? यह मुझे बताइये

Transliteration

dharmaḥ tvayam ihārthaḥ kim amutrārtho 'pi vā bhavet | ubhayārtho hi vā dharmas tan me brūhi pitāmaha pitāmaha ||

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira asks: “Is dharma here defined as the action undertaken for well-being in this world alone, or is it what is done for welfare in the next world? Or is dharma that which secures the good of both worlds? Tell me this clearly, O Grandfather.”

Word by Word

• {'dharmaḥ': 'dharma

• that which upholds', 'tvayam': 'this (indeed)

• this very (emphatic)', 'iha': 'here

• in this world', 'arthaḥ': 'purpose

• welfare', 'kim': 'whether?

• what?', 'amutra': 'there

• hereafter', 'api': 'also

• even', 'vā': 'or', 'bhavet': 'may be

• is it to be considered?', 'ubhayārthaḥ': 'having benefit in both ways

• serving both ends (this world and the next)', 'hi': 'indeed

• for', 'tan': 'that', 'me': 'to me', 'brūhi': 'tell

• explain', 'pitāmaha': 'O Grandfather (Bhīṣma)'}

Speaker

युधिषछ्िर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Bhīṣma (Pitāmaha)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames dharma as a question of ends: is it defined by worldly benefit, by otherworldly merit, or by a synthesis that supports both. It sets up Bhīṣma’s ethical instruction by demanding a definition of dharma that can guide action amid competing goals.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Yudhiṣṭhira—seeking clarity after the war—questions Bhīṣma, the revered elder, about what truly counts as dharma: actions aimed at prosperity here, salvation/merit hereafter, or conduct that harmonizes both.