Shloka 21
Adhyāya 222 — ब्रह्मस्थानप्राप्ति: मोक्षधर्मे समत्वव्रतम्
Attaining the Brahman-Station: The Vow of Equanimity in Mokṣadharma
प्रतिरूपतरा: केचिद् दृश्यन्ते बुद्धिमत्तरा: । विरूपेभ्यो5ल्पबुद्धिभ्यो लिप्समाना धनागमम्
pratirūpatarāḥ kecid dṛśyante buddhimattarāḥ | virūpebhyo 'lpabuddhibhyo lipsamānā dhanāgamam ||
Prahlāda dit : «On voit certains hommes, bien que beaux et même très intelligents, espérer obtenir des richesses en les sollicitant auprès de gens laids et de faible entendement.» Ce vers montre comment la soif de profit peut renverser les attentes naturelles de mérite et de dignité, et dévoiler le compromis éthique que produit l’avidité.
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the gifted—handsome and intelligent—may compromise discernment and dignity when driven by the desire for wealth, seeking gain from unworthy or inferior sources. The verse cautions that greed can distort values and social propriety.
Prahlāda is making an observation about human behavior: despite possessing personal excellence, some people still pursue money by depending on those who lack both refinement and understanding, illustrating the power of material desire to override better judgment.