Shloka 26
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
न तृप्ति: प्रियलाभे<स्ति तृष्णा नाद्धि: प्रशाम्यति । सम्प्रज्वलति सा भूय: समिद्धिरिव पावक:
na tṛptiḥ priyalābhe 'sti tṛṣṇā nāddhiḥ praśāmyati | samprajvalati sā bhūyaḥ samiddhir iva pāvakaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «L’homme ne se rassasie pas en obtenant ce qui lui est cher ; le désir n’est pas éteint par ce qui est acquis. Au contraire, il se rallume sans cesse — tel le feu qui redouble d’ardeur lorsqu’on l’alimente de combustible.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire is intrinsically self-amplifying: obtaining beloved objects does not produce lasting contentment; it strengthens craving, just as fuel makes fire blaze more.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on right conduct and inner discipline, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira by using a vivid simile—fire and fuel—to warn that indulgence does not end longing but intensifies it.