Shloka 26
चिरकारि-उपाख्यानम् / The Exemplum of Cirakārī: Deliberation Before Irreversible Action
लोकसंग्रहसंयुक्तं विधात्रा विहितं पुरा । सूक्ष्मधर्मार्थनियतं सतां चरितमुत्तमम्,विधाताने पूर्वकालमें सत्पुरुषोंके जिस उत्तम आचरणका विधान किया है, वह विश्वके कल्याणकी भावनासे युक्त है और उससे धर्म एवं अर्थके सूक्ष्म स्वरूपका ज्ञान होता है
lokasaṅgrahasaṁyuktaṁ vidhātrā vihitaṁ purā | sūkṣmadharmārthaniyataṁ satāṁ caritam uttamam ||
Bhishma said: Long ago the Ordainer established a noble standard of conduct for the virtuous—conduct aimed at the welfare and cohesion of the world, and precisely aligned with the subtle principles of dharma and artha.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True exemplary conduct is not private virtue alone; it is conduct ordained to sustain the world (lokasaṅgraha) and must be guided by a subtle, well-regulated understanding of both dharma (moral order) and artha (practical welfare).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and right living, Bhishma explains to the listener that the ancient standard of the virtuous was established for universal welfare and embodies refined discernment of dharma and artha.