Shloka 36
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
अपरे बाहुबलिन: कृतविद्या मनस्विन: । जुगुप्सितां च कृपणां पापवृत्तिमुपासते,“दूसरे बहुत-से बाहुबलसे सम्पन्न विद्वान् और मनस्वी मनुष्य दीन, निन्दित एवं पापपूर्ण वृत्तिसे जीविका चलाते हैं
apare bāhubalinaḥ kṛtavidyā manasvinaḥ | jugupsitāṃ ca kṛpaṇāṃ pāpavṛttim upāsate ||
ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ—ਹੋਰ ਵੀ ਕਈ ਹਨ—ਬਾਹੂਬਲ ਵਾਲੇ, ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਪੁੰਨ ਅਤੇ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ੍ਹ ਮਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਵੀ—ਉਹ ਦਿਨ, ਨਿੰਦਣਯੋਗ ਅਤੇ ਪਾਪਮਈ ਜੀਵਿਕਾ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਜੀਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even strength, education, and a noble mind do not guarantee righteous living; one must choose a dharmic means of livelihood, because adopting a base and sinful occupation corrupts character and undermines ethical order.
In Bhishma’s instruction during the Śānti Parva, he is describing a moral failing seen in society: capable and learned people still take up contemptible, sinful ways of earning, highlighting the need for vigilance about conduct and livelihood.