Shloka 7
Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
ज्ञाने होवं प्रवृत्ति: स््थात् कार्याणामविशेषत: । यत् कार्य न व्यवस्यामस्तद् भवान् वक्तुमहति,“'मुने! शास्त्रोंमें बहुत-से कर्तव्यकर्म बताये गये हैं, उनमेंसे अमुक कर्मके इस प्रकार करनेसे ज्ञानमार्ममें प्रवृत्ति हो सकती है, इसका विशेषरूपसे हमें निश्चय नहीं हो पाता है; अतः हमारे लिये जो कर्तव्य हो और जिसका निर्धारण हम न कर पाते हों, उसे आप ही हमें बतानेकी कृपा करें
jñāne hovaṁ pravṛttiḥ sthāt kāryāṇām aviśeṣataḥ | yat kāryaṁ na vyavasyāmas tad bhavān vaktum arhati ||
Bhīṣma said: “From the performance of duties in general, one may indeed come to be engaged in the pursuit of knowledge; yet we cannot determine with certainty which particular act, performed in what manner, leads to that awakening. Therefore, O sage, please tell us what should be done—especially in those matters of duty where we are unable to decide for ourselves.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights a common ethical problem: many duties are taught in the śāstras, but it is not always clear which specific action, done in which way, best supports the rise of spiritual knowledge. Therefore one should seek guidance from a competent sage when dharma is uncertain.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, Bhīṣma addresses a sage respectfully, admitting uncertainty about determining the precise duty that leads toward knowledge, and requests a clear prescription for what should be done when one cannot decide.