Shloka 14
Varṇāśrama-ācāra and Vikarma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry on Safe Dharmas (शिवधर्मप्रश्नः)
सत्यार्जवं चातिथिपूजनं च धर्मस्तथार्थश्ष रति: स्वदारै: | निषेवितव्यानि सुखानि लोके हास्मिन् परे चैव मतं ममैतत्,“गृहस्थ पुरुष इस लोकमें सत्य, सरलता, अतिथि-सत्कार, धर्म, अर्थ, अपनी पत्नीके प्रति अनुराग तथा सुखका सेवन करे। ऐसा होनेपर ही उसे परलोकमें भी सुख प्राप्त होते हैं, यह मेरा मत है”
satyārjavaṃ cātithipūjanaṃ ca dharmas tathārthaś ca ratiḥ svadāraiḥ | niṣevitavyāni sukhāni loke hāsmin pare caiva mataṃ mamaitat ||
Bhishma said: “Truthfulness and straightforwardness, honoring guests, and the pursuit of dharma and artha, along with faithful affection for one’s own wife—these are the rightful enjoyments to be cultivated by a householder in this world. When these are practiced, happiness is gained here and also in the world beyond; this is my considered view.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A householder should cultivate truth, integrity, hospitality, and the balanced pursuit of dharma and artha, while remaining devoted within marriage; such disciplined, righteous enjoyment yields well-being both in this life and the next.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is advising on right conduct; here he summarizes key virtues and legitimate enjoyments for the householder stage of life and links them to happiness here and hereafter.