Shloka 38
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
उपायं धर्ममेवाहुस्त्रिवर्गस्य विशाम्पते । लिप्समानो हि तेनाशु कक्षेडग्निरिव वर्धते
upāyaṃ dharmam evāhus trivargasya viśāṃpate | lipsamāno hi tenāśu kakṣed agnir iva vardhate ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O lord of the people, the wise declare Dharma alone to be the true means to attain the three aims of life. For one who seeks wealth and pleasure through Dharma quickly advances and grows—like a fire spreading through dry grass.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is presented as the primary and reliable means for attaining the three human aims (dharma, artha, kāma). When wealth and pleasure are pursued under the guidance of dharma, progress becomes rapid and self-reinforcing—illustrated by the image of fire swiftly spreading through dry grass.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-filled context, Vaiśampāyana narrates a didactic statement addressed to a ruler (“lord of the people”), emphasizing that wise policy and personal striving should be grounded in dharma, since it accelerates and stabilizes the attainment of worldly goals.