Shloka 26
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
न तृप्ति: प्रियलाभे<स्ति तृष्णा नाद्धि: प्रशाम्यति । सम्प्रज्वलति सा भूय: समिद्धिरिव पावक:
na tṛptiḥ priyalābhe 'sti tṛṣṇā nāddhiḥ praśāmyati | samprajvalati sā bhūyaḥ samiddhir iva pāvakaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «El hombre no se sacia al obtener lo que ama; el anhelo no se apaga con lo conseguido. Antes bien, vuelve a arder una y otra vez, como el fuego que se aviva cuando se le echa combustible».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire is intrinsically self-amplifying: obtaining beloved objects does not produce lasting contentment; it strengthens craving, just as fuel makes fire blaze more.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on right conduct and inner discipline, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira by using a vivid simile—fire and fuel—to warn that indulgence does not end longing but intensifies it.