Shloka 18
अर्थार्थिन: सन्ति केचिदपरे स्वर्गकांक्षिण: । कुलप्रत्यागमाश्चैके स्वं स्वं धर्ममनुछिता:
arthārthinaḥ santi kecid apare svargakāṅkṣiṇaḥ | kulapratyāgamāś caike svaṃ svaṃ dharmam anuṣṭhitāḥ ||
Arjuna berkata: “Ada yang mengejar artha; ada pula yang mendambakan surga. Ada yang berpegang pada adat turun-temurun keluarganya dan tekun menjalankan dharma sesuai varṇa dan āśrama masing-masing. Namun bahkan di antara mereka yang tampak terkendali, tenang, dan terpelajar—dengan tanda-tanda lahiriah pelepasan—banyak yang tetap menginginkan kekayaan.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that outward religiosity or even disciplined observance of duty can still be driven by desire—especially for wealth or heavenly reward. It points toward examining one’s inner motive, not merely one’s external conduct.
Arjuna observes the variety of human aims: some openly pursue wealth, others pursue heaven, and some follow inherited family customs and prescribed duties. He notes that even those who seem ascetic and learned may still harbor attachment to wealth, raising a moral question about sincerity and true detachment.