Shloka 257
Rāmopākhyāna—Rāma–Sītā Origins and the Opening of Rāvaṇa’s Genealogy
राजन! शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाला वीर दुर्योधन निरन्तर अपने भाइयोंका प्रिय कार्य किया करता था। “धनके दो ही फल हैं--दान और भोग” ऐसा मन-ही-मन निश्चय करके वह इन्हींमें धनका उपयोग करता था ।। इति श्रीमहाभारते वनपर्वणि घोषयात्रापर्वणि युधिष्ठिरचिन्तायां सप्तपञ्चाशदधिकद्विशततमो<ध्याय:
rājan! śatrūṇāṃ santāpaṃ dātā vīro duryodhanaḥ nirantaraṃ sva-bhrātṝṇāṃ priyaṃ kāryaṃ karoti sma | “dhanasya dvāv eva phalau—dānaṃ ca bhogaś ca” iti manasā niścitya sa etayor eva dhanasya viniyogaṃ karoti sma ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, the heroic Duryodhana—one who brought torment to his enemies—was continually engaged in doing what pleased his brothers. Having resolved within himself that wealth yields only two true fruits—giving and enjoyment—he employed his riches only in these two ways.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth is portrayed as meaningful chiefly through two outcomes: dāna (giving) and bhoga (enjoyment). The verse frames a practical ethic of artha—money should be used, either to support others through generosity or to sustain one’s life and status through legitimate enjoyment, rather than being hoarded without purpose.
Vaiśampāyana describes Duryodhana’s habitual conduct: he consistently acts to please his brothers and, guided by his inner conviction about the ‘two fruits’ of wealth, spends his resources on giving and on enjoyment—highlighting his capacity for loyalty and largesse even while he remains a source of suffering to his enemies.