Shloka 7
Atithi-prāpti and the Brāhmaṇa’s Deliberation on Triadic Dharma (अतिथिप्राप्तिः धर्मत्रयविचारश्च)
जनमेजय उवाच इमे सब्रह्मका लोका: ससुरासुरमानवा: । क्रियास्वभ्युदयोक्तासु सक्ता दृश्यन्ति सर्वश:
janamejaya uvāca ime sabrahmakā lokāḥ sasurāsuramānavāḥ | kriyāsv abhyudayoktāsu saktā dṛśyante sarvaśaḥ ||
Janamejaya said: “O sage, all these worlds—together with Brahmā, the gods, the asuras, and human beings—are seen everywhere to be attached to those actions that are prescribed for worldly prosperity and advancement.”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a universal tendency: beings across all realms—even exalted ones—become attached to actions aimed at abhyudaya (worldly success and uplift). It sets up an ethical inquiry into whether such prosperity-oriented action is sufficient, or whether a higher aim (niḥśreyasa/liberation) and detachment should guide dharma.
Janamejaya addresses the sage with an observation and implicit doubt: he sees that everyone, from Brahmā down to humans, is engrossed in prescribed works meant for worldly advancement. This functions as a question-starter, inviting the teacher to explain the limits of prosperity-driven karma and the path beyond mere abhyudaya.