Shloka 24
चिरकारि-उपाख्यानम् / The Exemplum of Cirakārī: Deliberation Before Irreversible Action
जो अपनी आवश्यकतासे अधिक हो, उन भोगपदार्थोंको दूसरे दीन-दुखियोंके लिये बाँट दे। इसीलिये विधाताने सूदपर धन देनेकी वृत्ति चलायी है ।। यस्मिंस्तु देवा: समये संतिष्ठेर॑स्तथा भवेत् | अथवा लाभसमये स्थितिर्धमेंडपि शोभना,जिस सन्मार्ग या मर्यादापर देवता स्थित होते हैं, उसीपर मनुष्यको भी स्थिर रहना चाहिये अथवा धन-लाभके समय धर्ममें स्थित रहना भी अच्छा है
bhīṣma uvāca | yo 'vaśyakatāto 'dhikaṃ bhavet, tān bhogapadārthān anyebhyo dīna-duḥkhitebhyo vibhajeta | tasmād vidhātrā vṛddhyā dhana-pradāna-vṛttiḥ pravartitā || yasmiṃs tu devāḥ samaye saṃtiṣṭheran tathā bhavet | athavā lābha-samaye dharme sthitir api śobhanā ||
Bhishma said: “If a man possesses enjoyments and resources beyond what he truly needs, he should distribute those goods to others who are poor and afflicted. For this reason the Ordainer has allowed the practice of lending wealth at interest—so that surplus may circulate and reach those in need. And whatever righteous path or boundary the gods themselves uphold at the proper time, a human being too should stand firmly upon that same standard. Indeed, even at the moment of gain and profit, to remain established in dharma is itself a noble thing.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Surplus enjoyment and wealth should be redirected to relieve the suffering of the poor; and even when profit arises, one must remain steady in dharma, following the same moral boundaries upheld by the gods.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous living, Bhishma continues advising on social and economic conduct—urging redistribution of excess, explaining the rationale for wealth-lending practices, and emphasizing steadfastness in dharma especially at moments of gain.