Shloka 12
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
पाणिमद्भ्य: स्पृहास्माकं यथा तव धनस्य वै | न पाणिलाभादधिको लाभ: कश्षन विद्यते,“जैसे आपके मनमें धनकी लालसा है, उसी प्रकार हम पशुओंको हाथवाले मनुष्योंसे हाथ पानेकी अभिलाषा रहती है। हमारी दृष्टिमें हाथ मिलनेसे अधिक दूसरा कोई लाभ नहीं
pāṇimadbhyaḥ spṛhāsmākaṃ yathā tava dhanasya vai | na pāṇilābhād adhiko lābhaḥ kaścan vidyate ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Sebagaimana engkau mendambakan harta, demikianlah kami—makhluk yang tiada tangan—mendambakan manusia yang bertangan, dengan harapan memperoleh tangan juga. Pada pandangan kami, tiada keuntungan yang lebih besar daripada memperoleh tangan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights the extraordinary value of human embodiment and agency: what humans often take for granted (hands—capacity to act, serve, give, and pursue dharma) is, from another standpoint, the highest ‘gain’. The verse reframes desire—urging gratitude and right use of one’s abilities rather than mere craving for wealth.
In Shanti Parva’s instruction, Bhishma speaks didactically, using a comparative image: as a person covets wealth, so beings lacking hands would covet the human condition. The point supports his broader ethical counsel—recognizing the rarity and purpose of human life and directing one’s faculties toward dharma.