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 dit : «Les uns amassent des richesses par le don et l’action juste ; d’autres, ascètes, y parviennent par l’austérité. D’autres encore obtiennent des réserves de biens par l’intelligence et l’habileté pratique. L’enseignement est que la prospérité naît de disciplines diverses—conduite morale, maîtrise de soi et compétence éclairée—chacune portant sa propre gravité éthique.»
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.