Shloka 12
Vasiṣṭha on Saṃsāra, Guṇas, and Misattributed Agency
Mahābhārata 12.292
प्रयत्नेन च संसिद्धा धनैरपि विवर्जिता: । सम्यग् हुत्वा हुतवहं मुनयः सिद्धिमागता:
prayatnena ca saṁsiddhā dhanair api vivarjitāḥ | samyag hutvā hutavahaṁ munayaḥ siddhim āgatāḥ ||
Parāśara said: “Even without wealth, the sages attained accomplishment through their own sustained effort. Having duly offered oblations into the sacred fire, they reached spiritual success.” The verse underscores that disciplined striving and correct performance of dharmic rites can yield attainment independent of material resources.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True accomplishment does not depend on wealth; disciplined personal effort and properly performed dharmic practice (such as sacrificial offerings) can lead to spiritual attainment.
Parāśara cites the example of sages who lacked material riches yet achieved siddhi by sustained effort and by correctly performing fire-offerings, illustrating a moral lesson about the power of practice and right conduct.