Shloka 27
आपदेवास्य मरणात् पुरुषस्य गरीयसी । श्रियो विनाशस्तद्धयस्य निमित्तं धर्मकामयो:,धन-सम्पत्तिका नाश मनुष्यके लिये भारी विपत्ति ही है। वह मृत्युसे भी बढ़कर है, क्योंकि सम्पत्ति ही मनुष्यके धर्म और कामकी सिद्धिका कारण है
āpadaivāsya maraṇāt puruṣasya garīyasī | śriyo vināśas tad hy asya nimittaṃ dharmakāmayoḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “For a man, the loss of prosperity is a calamity even heavier than death itself. For wealth and well-being are the means by which one is able to accomplish dharma (right conduct and duty) and kāma (legitimate desires).”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses that material prosperity (śrī/artha) is not valued merely for pleasure, but because it functions as a practical support for living dharma and fulfilling legitimate desires (kāma). Therefore, its loss can feel more devastating than death, since it undermines one’s capacity to act effectively in the world.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the gravity of losing prosperity and resources, framing it as a profound crisis because it obstructs the pursuit of dharma and kāma—concerns central to royal responsibility and household life.