Shloka 5
Vasiṣṭha on Saṃsāra, Guṇas, and Misattributed Agency
Mahābhārata 12.292
न धर्मार्थी नृशंसेन कर्मणा धनमर्जयेत् । शक्तित: सर्वकार्याणि कुर्यन्नद्धिमनुस्मरेत्
na dharmārthī nṛśaṃsena karmaṇā dhanam arjayet | śaktitaḥ sarvakāryāṇi kuryann addhim anusmaret ||
One who seeks dharma should not acquire wealth through cruel or ruthless deeds. Rather, acting within one’s capacity, one should carry out all duties while keeping in mind what is truly beneficial and elevating—the highest good.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma-seeking persons must not pursue artha (wealth) through nṛśaṃsa (cruel, harmful) actions; instead they should perform duties within their capacity while remembering the truly beneficial, higher good.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on conduct, Parāśara states a moral rule about livelihood and action: wealth gained through cruelty undermines dharma, so one should act responsibly, proportionate to one’s strength, with the higher welfare in view.