Shloka 11

Vasiṣṭha on Saṃsāra, Guṇas, and Misattributed Agency

Mahābhārata 12.292

Devanagari script

वाचा शेषावहार्येण पालनेनात्मनो5पि च । यथावद्‌ भृत्यवर्गस्य चिकीर्षेत्‌ कर्म आदित:

Transliteration

parāśara uvāca |

vācā śeṣāvahāryeṇa pālanenātmano 'pi ca |

yathāvad bhṛtyavargasya cikīrṣet karma āditaḥ ||

Translation

Parāśara said: By disciplined use of speech, by partaking only of what remains after rightful offerings, and by safeguarding even one’s own life in a proper way, a person should, from the very beginning, make due provision for the work of maintaining those who depend on him. In this way one lives responsibly—discharging obligations through study and restraint, through sanctified sustenance, and through conscientious care of one’s household and dependents.

Word by Word

• {'parāśara uvāca': 'Parāśara said', 'vācā': 'by speech

• through words (implying truthful, restrained, Vedic speech)', 'śeṣa': 'remainder

• what is left (especially after offerings)', 'avahāryeṇa': 'by eating/partaking

• by what is to be consumed', 'śeṣāvahāryeṇa': 'by consuming the sacrificial remainder

• eating sanctified leftovers', 'pālanena': 'by protecting

• by safeguarding', "ātmano 'pi": 'even of oneself

• of one’s own person', 'ca': 'and', 'yathāvat': 'properly

• according to rule', 'bhṛtya': 'one who is to be supported

• servant/retainer', 'varga': 'group

• set', 'bhṛtyavargasya': 'of the group of dependents/retainers', 'cikīrṣet': 'should intend to do

• should arrange to accomplish', 'karma': 'duty

• prescribed action', 'āditaḥ': 'from the beginning

Speaker

पराशर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Parāśara

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

One should live with disciplined speech, take food in a sanctified and regulated way (as ‘remainder’ after rightful acts), protect life responsibly, and—crucially—arrange from the outset for the proper maintenance of one’s dependents. This frames dharma as fulfilling obligations through restraint, ritual-ethical conduct, and social care.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, the sage Parāśara is teaching principles of responsible living, emphasizing regulated conduct and the duty of supporting those who rely on one’s household—presented as part of discharging one’s moral obligations.