Shloka 24
धृतराष्ट्रदर्शनाय पाण्डवानां प्रयाणम् | The Pāṇḍavas Prepare to Visit Dhṛtarāṣṭra
सर्व बलवतां पथ्यं सर्व बलवतां शुचि । सर्व बलवतां धर्म: सर्व बलवतां स्वकम्
sarva-balatāṁ pathyaṁ sarva-balatāṁ śuci | sarva-balatāṁ dharmaḥ sarva-balatāṁ svakam ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「力ある者にとっては、すべてが『益』であり『よし』とされる。力ある者にとっては、あらゆる行いが清らかと見なされる。力ある者にとっては、すべてが『ダルマ』と呼ばれ、力ある者にとっては、万物が己のものとされる。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse criticizes the tendency of society to let power override moral standards: what the strong do is conveniently labeled beneficial, pure, righteous, and even rightful possession—revealing how dharma can be distorted by dominance.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration within the Āśramavāsika context, this statement functions as a reflective, ethical observation—highlighting how, in the aftermath of great conflict and political power, judgments about right and wrong often become biased toward the powerful.