Shloka 126
Adhyāya 272: Vṛtrasya Dharmiṣṭhatā, Indrasya Mohaḥ, Vasiṣṭha-upadeśaḥ
Vṛtra’s dharmic stature; Indra’s disorientation; Vasiṣṭha’s counsel
कुशलेनैव धर्मेण गतिमिष्टां प्रपद्यते । इस प्रकार मनुष्य पापात्मा हो जाता है। अब धर्मात्माके विषयमें मुझसे सुनो। वह जिस प्रकार परहित-साधक कल्याणकारी धर्मका आचरण करता है
kuśalenaiva dharmeṇa gatim iṣṭāṃ prapadyate |
ビーシュマは言った。「ただ善く、しかも巧みにダルマを実践することによってのみ、人は望む到達点を得る。害をなす行いによって罪に染まる者は、正しき者と対照されるべきである。すなわち、他者の利益のために福祉を増し吉祥をもたらすダルマを行う者は、そのとおり安寧の分け前にあずかる。かの護りのダルマの力によってこそ、人は希求する境地に至るのだ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wholesome, welfare-promoting dharma is itself the effective means to attain one’s desired end; ethical conduct is presented as causally powerful, bringing well-being and the wished-for destiny.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous living, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira by contrasting sinful tendencies with the dharmatman: the one who practices beneficial dharma for others’ good gains welfare and reaches the intended goal through dharma’s protective power.