Shloka 5
Vasiṣṭha on Saṃsāra, Guṇas, and Misattributed Agency
Mahābhārata 12.292
न धर्मार्थी नृशंसेन कर्मणा धनमर्जयेत् । शक्तित: सर्वकार्याणि कुर्यन्नद्धिमनुस्मरेत्
na dharmārthī nṛśaṃsena karmaṇā dhanam arjayet | śaktitaḥ sarvakāryāṇi kuryann addhim anusmaret ||
ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಬಯಸುವವನು ಕ್ರೂರ ಅಥವಾ ನಿರ್ದಯ ಕರ್ಮಗಳಿಂದ ಧನವನ್ನು ಸಂಪಾದಿಸಬಾರದು. ತನ್ನ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ತಕ್ಕಂತೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ನೆರವೇರಿಸಿ, ಪರಮ ಹಿತ—ಉನ್ನತ ಶ್ರೇಯಸ್ಸು—ಎಂದನ್ನು ಸದಾ ಸ್ಮರಿಸಬೇಕು.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma-seeking persons must not pursue artha (wealth) through nṛśaṃsa (cruel, harmful) actions; instead they should perform duties within their capacity while remembering the truly beneficial, higher good.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on conduct, Parāśara states a moral rule about livelihood and action: wealth gained through cruelty undermines dharma, so one should act responsibly, proportionate to one’s strength, with the higher welfare in view.