Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 118
Pitṛmātṛtīrtha Greatness & the Discourse on Embodiment: Karma, Birth, Impurity, and Dispassion
न धर्ममर्थं कामं च मोक्षं च जरयायुतः । शक्तः साधयितुं तस्माद्युवा धर्मं समाचरेत्
na dharmamarthaṃ kāmaṃ ca mokṣaṃ ca jarayāyutaḥ | śaktaḥ sādhayituṃ tasmādyuvā dharmaṃ samācaret
ಜರೆಯಿಂದ ಭಾರಿತನಾದವನು ಧರ್ಮ, ಅರ್ಥ, ಕಾಮ, ಮೋಕ್ಷ—ಇವುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದನ್ನೂ ಸಾಧಿಸಲು ಶಕ್ತನಲ್ಲ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಯೌವನದಲ್ಲೇ ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆಯಿಂದ ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕು.
Unspecified (narratorial instruction within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्माद्युवा = तस्मात् युवा.
FAQs
It urges early practice of dharma, warning that old age weakens one’s capacity to pursue the four goals of life—dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa.
It explicitly names all four puruṣārthas and frames dharma as the discipline to be established in youth so the other aims (including mokṣa) remain attainable.
Do not postpone virtue and disciplined living; cultivate righteous habits early, because later life may reduce strength, focus, and opportunity.