Shloka 2
धन-यज्ञ-दानविवेकः
Wealth, Sacrifice, and Disciplined Giving
वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन! युधिष्ठिरकी यह बात समाप्त होनेपर प्रवचनकुशल महातपस्वी देवस्थानने युक्तियुक्त वाणीमें राजा युधिष्ठिरसे कहा ।।
devasthāna uvāca | yad vacaḥ phālgunenoktaṃ na jyāyo 'sti dhanād iti | atra te vartayiṣyāmi tad ekāntamanāḥ śṛṇu ||
ଦେବସ୍ଥାନ କହିଲେ—ରାଜନ୍! ଫାଲ୍ଗୁନ (ଅର୍ଜୁନ) ଯେ କହିଛି ‘ଧନଠାରୁ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ କିଛି ନାହିଁ’, ଏହି ବିଷୟରେ ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ ବ୍ୟାଖ୍ୟା କରିବି। ଏକାଗ୍ରମନେ ଶୁଣ।
देवस्थान उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry: Arjuna’s claim that wealth is the highest good is not accepted uncritically. Devasthāna signals a reasoned evaluation of wealth’s place within a broader hierarchy of values (especially dharma), urging attentive listening before drawing conclusions.
After Yudhiṣṭhira’s preceding remarks, the ascetic-teacher Devasthāna begins his response. He introduces the topic—Arjuna’s assertion about wealth—and prepares to deliver a focused explanation, asking the king to listen with full concentration.