Shloka 8
Vasiṣṭha–Karāla-Janaka Saṃvāda: Aśuddha-Sevana, Guṇa-Dr̥ṣṭi, and Sāṃkhya–Yoga Ekārthatā
Mahābhārata 12.293
धर्मादपेतं यत् कर्म यद्यपि स्यान्महाफलम् | न तत् सेवेत मेधावी न तद्धितमिहोच्यते
dharmād apetaṃ yat karma yady api syān mahāphalam | na tat seveta medhāvī na tad dhitam ihocyate ||
Parāśara said: Even if an action that has strayed from dharma appears to yield great results, a wise person should not pursue it. For such a deed is not regarded as truly beneficial in this world—because gain divorced from righteousness ultimately undermines one’s real welfare.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not choose actions that violate dharma, even when they promise large worldly gains; true welfare (hita) is inseparable from righteousness.
In the didactic setting of Śānti Parva, the sage Parāśara delivers a moral instruction: apparent success or profit cannot justify conduct that departs from dharma.