Shloka 18
Nakula’s Counsel on Yajña, Dāna, and Tyāga (नकुलोपदेशः—यज्ञदानत्यागविचारः)
पितृदेवातिथिकृते समारम्भो5त्र शस्यते । अत्रैव हि महाराज त्रिवर्ग: केवलं फलम्
pitṛdevātithikṛte samārambho 'tra śasyate | atraiva hi mahārāja trivargaḥ kevalaṁ phalam ||
Nakula dit : Dans l’état de vie du maître de maison, il est tout particulièrement loué d’entreprendre des actes destinés aux ancêtres, aux dieux et aux hôtes. Car c’est ici, ô Roi, que les trois buts de l’existence—dharma (devoir juste), artha (bien-être matériel) et kāma (jouissance légitime)—se réalisent véritablement et pleinement, comme leur fruit approprié.
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the householder’s life is the primary arena for fulfilling social and sacred obligations—honoring gods, ancestors, and guests—and that this āśrama uniquely enables the balanced attainment of dharma, artha, and kāma.
Nakula addresses a king and argues for the excellence of the gṛhastha-āśrama, emphasizing that organized duties such as worship, ancestral offerings, and hospitality are especially appropriate and fruitful in household life.