Shloka 1
Adhyāya 180: Jīva, Śarīra, and the Fire Analogy (भृगु–भरद्वाज संवादः)
अरक्रा - एक गृहस्थके घरपर कुछ अतिथि आ गये। घरके सब लोग कहीं बाहर चले गये थे। भीतर केवल एक कुमारी कन्या थी
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: kena vṛttena vṛttajña vītaśokaś care(n) mahīm? kiñ ca kurvann naro loke prāpnoti gatim uttamām?
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Ô toi qui connais la juste conduite, par quel genre de vie un homme peut-il parcourir la terre sans chagrin ? Et qu’est-ce qu’en accomplissant en ce monde l’être humain atteint le but suprême ?»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the central ethical inquiry of the chapter: which disciplined way of life (vṛtta) leads to freedom from grief and what kind of action or practice leads to the highest human end (uttamā gati). It sets up a dharma-oriented discussion on inner freedom and ultimate attainment.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, King Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the revered elder (Bhīṣma, ‘Pitāmaha’) and asks for guidance: how one should live in the world without being overcome by sorrow, and what one should do to reach the supreme goal.