Shloka 30
Adhyāya 51: Kṛṣṇa’s Leave-Taking and Departure for Dvārakā (द्वारकागमनानुमति)
कर्म केचित् प्रशंसन्ति मन्दबुद्धिरता नरा: । ये तु वृद्धा महात्मानो न प्रशंसन्ति कर्म ते
karma kecit praśaṃsanti mandabuddhiratā narāḥ | ye tu vṛddhā mahātmāno na praśaṃsanti karma te ||
Vāyu dit : «Certains hommes, attachés à une intelligence superficielle, louent l’action rituelle—surtout les rites mus par le désir, qui promettent le ciel et d’autres récompenses. Mais les anciens, aux grandes âmes, ne tiennent pas ces actes pour le bien suprême.»
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire-driven ritual actions (kāmya-karmas) may be praised by those with limited discernment, but mature, wise persons do not regard them as the highest path; they imply that ethical and spiritual maturity looks beyond reward-seeking action.
Vāyudeva is instructing the listener by contrasting two viewpoints: ordinary people who celebrate reward-oriented rites, and elder great-souled sages who withhold such praise, steering the discussion toward higher dharma beyond mere fruit-seeking कर्म.