Shloka 4
Sāttvika-vṛtta-kathana (Brahmā on the Conduct of Sattva) — Chapter 38
मुधा ज्ञानं मुधा वृत्तं मुधा सेवा मुधा श्रम: । एवं यो युक्तधर्म: स्यात् सोअमुत्रात्यन्तमश्षुते,नाना प्रकारकी सांसारिक जानकारी, सकाम व्यवहार, सेवा और श्रम व्यर्थ है--ऐसा समझकर जो कल्याणके साधनमें लग जाता है, वह परलोकमें अक्षय सुखका भागी होता है
mudhā jñānaṁ mudhā vṛttaṁ mudhā sevā mudhā śramaḥ | evaṁ yo yukta-dharmaḥ syāt so 'mutrātyantam aśnute ||
Disse Vāyu: “O saber mundano é vão; a conduta mundana é vã; e também são vãos o serviço e o labor buscados apenas por fins temporais.” Aquele que, compreendendo isso, se dedica aos verdadeiros meios do bem (o dharma corretamente aplicado) alcança no além uma felicidade imperecível e sem par.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Actions and attainments aimed only at worldly ends—information, social conduct, service, and hard work—are ‘in vain’ if they do not lead to true welfare. When one redirects life toward properly grounded dharma (right means, right purpose), one gains lasting, imperishable happiness beyond this life.
Vāyudeva is speaking as a moral instructor, reframing common human pursuits and urging a shift from merely secular or desire-driven effort to dharma that functions as a genuine sādhana (means) for ultimate good, promising enduring reward in the hereafter.