Shloka 34
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
त्रिवर्गयुक्त: प्राज्ञानामारम्भो भरतर्षभ । धर्मार्थावनुरुध्यन्ते त्रिवर्गासम्भवे नरा:
trivargayuktaḥ prājñānām ārambho bharatarṣabha | dharmārthāv anurudhyante trivargāsambhave narāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O bull among the Bharatas, the undertakings of the wise are aligned with the three aims of life—dharma, artha, and kāma. But when the full attainment of all three is not possible, discerning people adhere to dharma and artha.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wise action should harmonize the three human aims (dharma, artha, kāma). If all three cannot be achieved together, one should prioritize dharma and artha over kāma.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-filled context before the great war, Vaiśampāyana states a general principle of prudent conduct: the wise plan actions around the puruṣārthas, and in conflict situations they choose dharma and artha when the full ‘trivarga’ cannot be secured.