Shloka 7
Atithi-prāpti and the Brāhmaṇa’s Deliberation on Triadic Dharma (अतिथिप्राप्तिः धर्मत्रयविचारश्च)
जनमेजय उवाच इमे सब्रह्मका लोका: ससुरासुरमानवा: । क्रियास्वभ्युदयोक्तासु सक्ता दृश्यन्ति सर्वश:
janamejaya uvāca ime sabrahmakā lokāḥ sasurāsuramānavāḥ | kriyāsv abhyudayoktāsu saktā dṛśyante sarvaśaḥ ||
Janamejaya dit : «Ô sage, tous ces mondes—avec Brahmā, les dieux, les asuras et les hommes—se voient partout attachés aux actes prescrits pour la prospérité et l’essor dans le monde.»
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a universal tendency: beings across all realms—even exalted ones—become attached to actions aimed at abhyudaya (worldly success and uplift). It sets up an ethical inquiry into whether such prosperity-oriented action is sufficient, or whether a higher aim (niḥśreyasa/liberation) and detachment should guide dharma.
Janamejaya addresses the sage with an observation and implicit doubt: he sees that everyone, from Brahmā down to humans, is engrossed in prescribed works meant for worldly advancement. This functions as a question-starter, inviting the teacher to explain the limits of prosperity-driven karma and the path beyond mere abhyudaya.