Shloka 1
Śrī-nivāsa: Traits and Conditions for the Abode of Prosperity (श्री-निवासः)
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके २ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ७७ श्लोक हैं) ऑपन- मा बछ। जि एकादशोब< ध्याय: लक्ष्मीके निवास करने और न करने योग्य पुरुष
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
Kīdṛśe puruṣe tāta strīṣu vā bharatarṣabha |
Śrīḥ padmā vasate nityaṃ tan me brūhi pitāmaha ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Wahai kakek terkasih, wahai yang termulia di antara Bharata, pada laki-laki seperti apakah—dan pada perempuan seperti apakah—Śrī, sang Padmā, senantiasa bersemayam? Jelaskanlah itu kepadaku, O Kakek.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry: prosperity (Śrī/Lakṣmī) is not random but is understood to ‘reside’ where certain virtues, behaviors, and auspicious conditions are present. It introduces Bhīṣma’s forthcoming guidance on the qualities in men, women, and places that attract or repel prosperity.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction setting, Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully questions his grandsire Bhīṣma about the kinds of people—specifically men and women—in whom Lakṣmī dwells continually, preparing the ground for a didactic discourse on character and auspicious living.