Shloka 2
नारद–असित (देवल) संवादः — भूतप्रभवाप्यय, इन्द्रिय-गुण-विवेक, क्षेत्रज्ञ-तत्त्व
गार्हस्थ्यस्य च धर्मस्य योगधर्मस्य चोभयो: । अदूरसम्प्रस्थितयो: किंस्विच्छेय: पितामह
gārhasthyasya ca dharmasya yogadharmasya cobhayoḥ | adūrasamprasthitayoḥ kiṃsvid śreyaḥ pitāmaha ||
हुमत्सेन ने कहा— पितामह! गार्हस्थ्य-धर्म और योग-धर्म लक्ष्य और भाव में एक-दूसरे से दूर नहीं हैं; फिर भी इन दोनों निकटवर्ती मार्गों में वास्तव में कौन-सा श्रेयस्कर है? कृपा करके बताइए।
हुमत्सेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic Mahābhārata ethical inquiry: when two dharmic paths—responsible household life and yogic discipline—both aim at the good, how should one discern śreyas (the highest good). It invites a nuanced hierarchy based on inner aim, conduct, and realization rather than mere external form.
Humatsena respectfully asks an elder (addressed as pitāmaha) to adjudicate between two closely related life-paths: gārhasthya-dharma (social and familial duty) and yoga-dharma (spiritual discipline/renunciation). The question sets up a didactic response typical of Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma.