Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
तपस्विनां धर्मवतां विदुषां चोपसेवनात् । प्राप्स्यसे विपुलां बुद्धि तथा श्रेयोडभिपत्स्यसे
tapasvināṁ dharmavatāṁ viduṣāṁ copasevanāt | prāpsyase vipulāṁ buddhiṁ tathā śreyo 'bhipatsyase, rājan ||
ビーシュマは言った。「苦行者、法に生きる者、そして学識ある賢者に近侍し仕えるなら、汝は広く明晰な बुद्धि(知慧)を得るであろう。その知慧によって、王よ、汝は生にとって真に益あり吉祥なるものへ到達する。」
भीष्म उवाच
Bhishma teaches that respectful association and service (upasevā) to ascetics, righteous people, and the learned is a direct means to cultivate expansive discernment (vipulā buddhi), which in turn leads one to śreyas—true welfare and lasting good.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to the king, Bhishma continues his counsel on right conduct and governance, emphasizing that a ruler’s clarity and moral success arise from seeking guidance through humble service to spiritually disciplined, dharmic, and scholarly elders.