Shloka 2
कपिल–स्यूमरश्मि संवादः
Kapila and Syūmaraśmi on Renunciation, Householder Support, and Epistemic Authority
जाजलिरुवाच विक्रीणत: सर्वरसान् सर्वगन्धांश्न वाणिज । वनस्पतीनोषधीक्व तेषां मूलफलानि च,जाजलि बोले--वैश्यपुत्र! तुम तो सब प्रकारके रस, गन्ध, वनस्पति, ओषधि, मूल और फल आदि बेचा करते हो
jājaliḥ uvāca vikrīṇataḥ sarvarasān sarvagandhāṁś ca vāṇija | vanaspatīn oṣadhīś ca teṣāṁ mūlaphalāni ca ||
Jājali said: “O merchant, you trade in every kind of taste and every kind of fragrance—plants and medicinal herbs as well, along with their roots and fruits.” In the dialogue’s ethical frame, the remark points to a livelihood that draws upon and sells the produce of living growth, setting up reflection on harmlessness and righteous conduct in commerce.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse initiates an ethical inquiry into livelihood: even ordinary commerce—selling tastes, fragrances, plants, herbs, roots, and fruits—can raise questions about harm, dependence on living beings, and the standards of dharma in earning.
Within Bhīṣma’s narration in Śānti Parva, Jājali addresses a merchant and identifies what he sells. This functions as the opening move of a discussion that probes the moral implications of the merchant’s profession.