Shloka 8
स लोकानफलान् दृष्टवा तपसा निर्जितानपि । पप्रच्छ धर्मराजस्य समीपस्थान् दिवौकस:,उन्होंने तपस्याद्वारा वशमें किये हुए लोकोंको भी निष्फल देखकर धर्मराजके पास बैठे हुए देवताओंसे पूछा
sa lokān aphalān dṛṣṭvā tapasā nirjitān api | papraccha dharmarājasya samīpasthān divaukasaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Vendo que até mesmo os mundos conquistados por austeridade lhe pareciam sem fruto, ele perguntou aos deuses que estavam sentados junto de Dharmarāja.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse suggests that achievements gained even through great austerity (tapas) can be 'fruitless' if they do not culminate in deeper dharmic understanding or a meaningful ethical end; it prompts reflection on the purpose and final value of merit.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that a figure, after observing the apparent futility of worlds attained by austerity, approaches the gods seated near Dharmarāja (Yama) and questions them, initiating an explanation about the true significance of such attainments.