Shloka 53
Dharma-śaṅkā-nivāraṇa: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Response on Karma-Phala and Trust in Dharma
देशकालावुपायांश्व मड्लं स्वस्तिवृद्धये । युनक्ति मेधया धीरो यथाशक्ति यथाबलम्,धीर मनुष्य मंगलमय कल्याणकी वृद्धिके लिये अपनी बुद्धिके द्वारा शक्ति तथा बलका विचार करते हुए देश-कालके अनुसार साम-दाम आदि उपायोंका प्रयोग करे
deśa-kālāv upāyāṁś ca maṅgalaṁ svasti-vṛddhaye | yuṅkte medhayā dhīro yathāśakti yathābalam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “For the increase of well-being and auspicious prosperity, a wise and steady person applies appropriate means in accordance with place and time—employing his intelligence while weighing his capacity and strength.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical action is not merely idealistic; it must be intelligently adapted to context. A wise person seeks welfare (svasti, maṅgala) by choosing suitable means according to place and time, and by honestly measuring personal capacity and strength.
Yudhiṣṭhira articulates a principle of prudent conduct: in pursuing auspicious outcomes and security, one should employ appropriate methods with discernment, calibrated to circumstances and one’s actual resources.