अग्निनाम-प्रादुर्भावः प्रायश्चित्त-विधानं च
Agni’s Epithets, Manifestations, and Expiation Procedures
व्याजेन चरते धर्ममर्थ व्याजेन रोचते । व्याजेन सिध्यमानेषु धनेषु द्विजसत्तम
vyājena carate dharmam arthaṁ vyājena rocate | vyājena sidhyamāneṣu dhaneṣu dvijasattama ||
द्विजश्रेष्ठ! तो बहाण्यानेच धर्माचे आचरण करतो; बहाण्यानेच अर्थ (धन) मिळविणेही आकर्षक ठरवतो. आणि अशा युक्त्यांनी धन सिद्ध होऊ लागले की धर्माचा बाह्य देखावा केवळ आडोसा उरतो.
व्याध उवाच
True dharma is not a mask for self-interest. When righteousness is performed only as a pretext to gain wealth or advantage, it becomes hypocrisy; one must examine motive, not merely outward conduct.
In the Vyādha’s instruction to a Brahmin, he critiques conduct that uses the appearance of dharma as a cover for acquiring wealth. The hunter highlights how people can make even artha seem ‘right’ by dressing it in religious or moral language.