Shloka 48
Kośa, Bala, and Maryādā: Treasury, Capacity, and Enforceable Limits (कोश-बल-मर्यादा)
दानेन कर्मणा चान्ये तपसान्ये तपस्विन: । बुद्धया दाक्ष्येण चैवान्ये विन्दन्ति धनसंचयान्
dānena karmaṇā cānye tapasānye tapaspinaḥ | buddhyā dākṣyeṇa caivānye vindanti dhana-saṃcayān ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Unos acumulan riqueza mediante la generosidad y la acción recta; otros, siendo ascetas, lo hacen por la austeridad. Y otros obtienen reservas de riqueza por la inteligencia y la destreza práctica. La enseñanza es que la prosperidad nace de diversas disciplinas—conducta moral, autodominio y competencia discerniente—cada una con su propio peso ético.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth and prosperity can arise from multiple legitimate sources—charity and righteous work, ascetic austerity, and intelligent skill. The verse highlights that different virtues and disciplines can lead to material gain, implying that the ethical quality of one’s means matters as much as the result.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right living, Bhishma is explaining to the listener that people attain wealth through varied paths—generosity, action, austerity, and intellect—framing prosperity within a broader moral and spiritual discussion.