Shloka 32
Adhyāya 270 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on saṃnyāsa; Bhīṣma on calculable time, tamas, and karma
Vṛtra–Uśanā exemplum begins
तत्पश्चात् उस श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणने अपने निकट अगल-बगलमें रखे हुए बहुत-से सूक्ष्म चीर (वल्कल आदि) देखे। इससे उसके मनमें बड़ा खेद एवं वैराग्य हुआ ।।
brāhmaṇa uvāca | ayaṁ na sukṛtaṁ vetti ko nv anyo vetsyate kṛtam | gacchāmi vanam evāhaṁ varaṁ dharmeṇa jīvitum ||
After this, that excellent Brahmin saw many fine garments—bark-cloths (valkala) and other thin robes—kept close by on either side. At the sight, he was seized by deep remorse and dispassion. The Brahmin said to himself: “If he does not recognize the merit of what has been done, who else will understand this deed? I will go to the forest—better to live by dharma.” Thus he turned away from worldly expectation and resolved to sustain himself through righteous living.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do good without dependence on recognition; when merit is misunderstood or unacknowledged, one should not fall into bitterness but choose steadfast dharmic living, even if that means renunciation.
The Brahmin, seeing the stored garments nearby and feeling deep regret and detachment, concludes that his virtuous effort is not being understood by the person before him; he therefore decides to leave for the forest and live a life grounded in dharma.