Shloka 6
अग्निनाम-प्रादुर्भावः प्रायश्चित्त-विधानं च
Agni’s Epithets, Manifestations, and Expiation Procedures
व्याजेन चरते धर्ममर्थ व्याजेन रोचते । व्याजेन सिध्यमानेषु धनेषु द्विजसत्तम
vyājena carate dharmam arthaṁ vyājena rocate | vyājena sidhyamāneṣu dhaneṣu dvijasattama ||
The hunter said: “O best of Brahmins, he practices dharma only as a pretext; even his pursuit of wealth is made attractive by pretext. And when riches are being secured through such contrivances, the outward show of righteousness becomes merely a cover.”
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma is not a mask for self-interest. When righteousness is performed only as a pretext to gain wealth or advantage, it becomes hypocrisy; one must examine motive, not merely outward conduct.
In the Vyādha’s instruction to a Brahmin, he critiques conduct that uses the appearance of dharma as a cover for acquiring wealth. The hunter highlights how people can make even artha seem ‘right’ by dressing it in religious or moral language.