Shloka 18
Vasiṣṭha on Saṃsāra, Guṇas, and Misattributed Agency
Mahābhārata 12.292
अनहश्नाहतां प्राप्ता: सन्त: स्तुत्वा तमेव ह । नतु वृद्धिमिहान्विच्छेत् कर्म कृत्वा जुगुप्सितम्
anahaśnāhatāṁ prāptāḥ santaḥ stutvā tameva ha | na tu vṛddhim ihānvicchet karma kṛtvā jugupsitam ||
Parāśara dit : « Même ceux qui n’étaient pas dignes d’être honorés devinrent des saints vénérables en louant ce même Seigneur (Viṣṇu) et l’atteignirent. Aussi, en ce monde, nul ne doit espérer une véritable élévation ou prospérité en accomplissant des actes blâmables et répugnants. »
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Devotion and sincere praise of Viṣṇu can elevate even those previously unworthy, but one should not expect genuine prosperity or spiritual uplift by engaging in reprehensible conduct; ethical action is essential.
Parāśara is instructing his listener within the Śānti Parva’s dharma-discourse: he cites the transformative power of praising Viṣṇu, then draws a moral conclusion that blameworthy actions cannot be a means to true advancement.