Shloka 46
कपिलगोसंवादे गृहस्थ-त्यागधर्मयोः प्रमाण्यविचारः
Kapila–Cow Dialogue: Authority of Householder and Renunciant Dharmas
इस प्रकार दीर्घकालके पश्चात् वे वाराणसी पुरीमें जा पहुँचे, वहाँ उन्होंने तुलाधारको सौदा बेचते देखा ।।
evaṃ prakāreṇa dīrghakālasya paścāt te vārāṇasī-purīṃ gatvā prāpuḥ; tatra te tulādhāraṃ vaṇijaṃ kraya-vikrayair jīvanaṃ nirvahantaṃ dadarśuḥ. so 'pi dṛṣṭvaiva taṃ vipram āyāntaṃ bhāṇḍajīvanaḥ samutthāya susaṃhṛṣṭaḥ svāgatena abhyapūjayat.
After a long time had passed, they reached the city of Vārāṇasī. There they saw Tulādhāra, a trader who sustained his life by buying and selling goods. The moment he noticed the brāhmaṇa approaching, Tulādhāra—whose livelihood was trade—rose at once, delighted, and honored him with a warm welcome. The episode underscores that true dharma is shown not by one’s social label but by one’s conduct: humility, hospitality, and reverence for the worthy can shine even in a householder engaged in commerce.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is validated by conduct: even a merchant living by trade can embody righteousness through humility, prompt respect, and sincere hospitality toward the worthy.
After a long interval, the travelers arrive in Vārāṇasī and see Tulādhāra engaged in commerce; noticing a brāhmaṇa approaching, Tulādhāra immediately rises, rejoices, and welcomes him with honor.