Shloka 10
Śrī-nivāsa: Traits and Conditions for the Abode of Prosperity (श्री-निवासः)
जो अपने लिये कुछ नहीं चाहता, जिसका अन्तःकरण मूढ़तासे आच्छन्न है, जो थोड़ेमें ही संतोष कर लेते हैं, ऐसे मनुष्योंमें मैं भलीभाँति नित्य निवास नहीं करती हूँ ।।
bhīṣma uvāca |
yo ’tmārthaṃ kiñcid api na kāṅkṣate, yasyāntaḥkaraṇaṃ mūḍhatayā āchannam, yaḥ alpenaiva saṃtuṣyati—tādṛśeṣu manuṣyeṣu ahaṃ (śrīḥ) samyak nityaṃ na nivāsāmi ||
svadharmaśīleṣu ca dharmavitsu vṛddhopasevānirate ca dānte |
kṛtātmani kṣāntipare samarthe kṣāntāsu dāntāsu tathā ’balāsu ||
Bhishma dit : «Je ne demeure pas véritablement et sans cesse parmi ceux qui ne désirent rien pour eux-mêmes, dont l’esprit intérieur est voilé par la torpeur, et qui se contentent de fort peu. Mais je demeure parmi ceux qui sont voués à leur propre devoir (svadharma), qui connaissent le dharma, qui se plaisent à servir les aînés, qui se maîtrisent : parmi les disciplinés et les maîtres d’eux-mêmes, parmi les patients et capables, parmi les indulgents et retenus, et de même parmi les doux, les non-violents.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prosperity (Śrī) is not portrayed as favoring mere lack of desire or minimal contentment when it is rooted in dullness; rather, she abides with those who actively live by svadharma, understand dharma, serve elders, practice self-restraint, and cultivate patience and forgiveness—virtues that make a person ethically steady and socially beneficial.
In Bhishma’s instruction (Anushasana Parva), he voices a teaching about where ‘Śrī’—fortune and auspiciousness—chooses to reside. The verse contrasts inert, deluded renunciation with disciplined, dharma-informed conduct, emphasizing that true auspiciousness accompanies virtue, self-mastery, and respectful service.