Shloka 26
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
न तृप्ति: प्रियलाभे<स्ति तृष्णा नाद्धि: प्रशाम्यति । सम्प्रज्वलति सा भूय: समिद्धिरिव पावक:
na tṛptiḥ priyalābhe 'sti tṛṣṇā nāddhiḥ praśāmyati | samprajvalati sā bhūyaḥ samiddhir iva pāvakaḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「人は愛するものを得ても満ち足りることはない。渇望は得たものによって鎮まらない。むしろそれは幾度も燃え上がる――薪を与えられていよいよ猛る火のように。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire is intrinsically self-amplifying: obtaining beloved objects does not produce lasting contentment; it strengthens craving, just as fuel makes fire blaze more.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on right conduct and inner discipline, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira by using a vivid simile—fire and fuel—to warn that indulgence does not end longing but intensifies it.