Shloka 31
Śānti-parva 168: Śoka-nivṛtti-buddhi (The Cognition that Reduces Grief) and Piṅgalā’s Nairāśya
किसी-न-किसी कामनासे संयुक्त होकर ही ऋषि-लोग तपस्यामें मन लगाते हैं। फल, मूल और पत्ते चबाकर रहते हैं। वायु पीकर मन और इन्द्रियोंका संयम करते हैं ।।
kasyāṃścid vā kāmanāyāṃ saṃyuktaiva munayo tapaḥ samācaranti; phala-mūla-parṇāni carvitaṃ kṛtvā vartante; vāyum āpīya mana-indriyāṇi saṃyamayanti. vedopavedeṣv apare yuktāḥ svādhyāya-pāragāḥ; śrāddha-yajña-kriyāyāṃ ca tathā dāna-pratigrahe—kāmanayāiva lokāḥ pravartante.
ビーマは言う。苦行者でさえ、何らかの欲望と結びついてこそタパスに心を注ぐ。彼らは果実・根・葉を噛んで命をつなぎ、「風を飲む」ことで心と感官を制する。同様に、ある者はヴェーダとその補助学に身を捧げ、誦習と学究の達人となる。また人々は祖霊のためのシュラーダッダ、祭祀（ヤジュニャ）、施与、さらには贈り物を受け取ることにまで携わるが——いずれも欲望に駆り立てられてのことである。
भीमयेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that desire (kāmanā) often underlies even seemingly spiritual acts—ascetic austerity, Vedic study, ritual, charity, and accepting gifts. It invites ethical scrutiny of intention: outwardly dharmic actions may still be driven by expectation of gain or merit.
Bhīma is speaking in the Śānti Parva’s reflective discourse, pointing out that people—including sages—undertake disciplines and religious duties with some motivating desire. He lists ascetic practices and orthodox duties to show how pervasive desire is in human action.