Shloka 47
Adhyāya 119: Vyāsa–Kīṭa-saṃvāda
Tapas-bala and karmic ascent across yoni
प्रवृत्तिलक्षणो धर्म: प्रजार्थिभिरुदाह्ृत: । यथोक्तं राजशार्दूल न तु तन्मोक्षकाड्क्षिणाम्
pravṛttilakṣaṇo dharmaḥ prajārthibhir udāhṛtaḥ | yathoktaṁ rājaśārdūla na tu tan mokṣakāṅkṣiṇām, nṛpaśreṣṭha |
ビーシュマは言った。「世に関わる営み（プラヴリッティ）を相とするダルマは、子孫と社会の継続を求める者たちによって説かれる。王の中の虎よ、まさに私が述べたとおりだ。だが、解脱を希う者にとっては、その道は選び取るべき理想ではない、最上の統治者よ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma distinguishes two orientations of dharma: pravṛtti-dharma (engaged, society-sustaining duties such as family, lineage, and social order) and the aspiration for mokṣa (liberation), for which a more detached, renunciant orientation is appropriate. The same ‘dharma’ is not equally fitting for all aims.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhishma continues instructing King Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. Here he clarifies that teachings meant for householders and those seeking progeny/social continuity are not the preferred path for those whose primary goal is liberation.