Shloka 34
मृत्यु-काल-प्रबोधनम् (Instruction on Mortality, Time, and Truth) — Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 169
एतत् सम्प्राप्य हृष्टात्मा दस्यो: सर्व द्विजस्तथा । तस्मिन् गृहवरे राजंस्तया रेमे स गौतम:
etat samprāpya hṛṣṭātmā dasyoḥ sarvaṃ dvijas tathā | tasmin gṛhavare rājan tayā reme sa gautamaḥ ||
Ô roi, ayant obtenu toutes ces choses du dāsyu, le brahmane fut intérieurement comblé de joie. Et, dans cette demeure excellente, Gautama vécut dans la jouissance avec elle.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how easily a person—even one identified as a dvija (brāhmaṇa)—can become inwardly pleased and settle into enjoyment when material comforts and sensual companionship are obtained. In Śānti Parva’s ethical frame, it serves as a caution about attachment (rāga) and the moral vigilance required to uphold dharma amid temptation.
Bhīṣma narrates that the brāhmaṇa Gautama receives all the desired items from a servant-woman and becomes pleased. He then resides in a fine house and lives in enjoyment with her, indicating a shift from restraint to comfort and pleasure.