Shloka 48
तृष्णाक्षय-उपदेशः
Instruction on the Cessation of Craving
एवं चतुर्णा वर्णानामाश्रमाण्ां प्रवृत्तिषु । एकमालम्बमानानां निर्णये कि निरामयम्,इस प्रकार चारों वर्णों और आश्रमोंके लोग सभी प्रवृत्तियोंमें एकमात्र सुखका ही आश्रय लेते हैं--उसीको अपना लक्ष्य बनाकर चलते हैं, अतः सिद्धान्तत: अक्षय सुख क्या है, यह बताइये
evaṁ caturṇāṁ varṇānām āśramāṇāṁ pravṛttiṣu | ekam ālambamānānāṁ nirṇaye kiṁ nirāmayam ||
Thus, in the various pursuits of the four social orders and the stages of life, people take refuge in only one thing—happiness—making it their aim and moving accordingly. Therefore, tell me decisively: what is that unailing, imperishable happiness?
कपिल उवाच
Educational Q&A
All human roles and life-stages, despite their diverse duties, are ultimately driven by the pursuit of happiness. Kapila presses for a definitive account of the highest kind of happiness—one that is not mixed with suffering or decay—implying a shift from ordinary pleasure to enduring well-being grounded in spiritual insight.
In the Shanti Parva’s philosophical dialogue, Kapila is speaking and challenges the discussion to move beyond conventional aims within varṇa and āśrama duties. He asks for a conclusive definition of “nirāmaya” (unafflicted) and “akṣaya” (imperishable) happiness as the true goal behind all pursuits.