Shloka 7
Atithi-prāpti and the Brāhmaṇa’s Deliberation on Triadic Dharma (अतिथिप्राप्तिः धर्मत्रयविचारश्च)
जनमेजय उवाच इमे सब्रह्मका लोका: ससुरासुरमानवा: । क्रियास्वभ्युदयोक्तासु सक्ता दृश्यन्ति सर्वश:
janamejaya uvāca ime sabrahmakā lokāḥ sasurāsuramānavāḥ | kriyāsv abhyudayoktāsu saktā dṛśyante sarvaśaḥ ||
ジャナメージャヤは言った。「聖者よ、この諸世界は、梵天をはじめ、神々・阿修羅・人間に至るまで、いたるところで、世の繁栄と向上のために説かれた行為に執着しているのが見受けられる。」
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a universal tendency: beings across all realms—even exalted ones—become attached to actions aimed at abhyudaya (worldly success and uplift). It sets up an ethical inquiry into whether such prosperity-oriented action is sufficient, or whether a higher aim (niḥśreyasa/liberation) and detachment should guide dharma.
Janamejaya addresses the sage with an observation and implicit doubt: he sees that everyone, from Brahmā down to humans, is engrossed in prescribed works meant for worldly advancement. This functions as a question-starter, inviting the teacher to explain the limits of prosperity-driven karma and the path beyond mere abhyudaya.