Shloka 22
Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
धर्मेण वेदाध्ययनं वेदान्तानां तथैव च । ज्ञानार्थानां च जिज्ञासा श्रेय एतदसंशयम्
nāradā uvāca | dharmeṇa vedādhyayanaṃ vedāntānāṃ tathaiva ca | jñānārthānāṃ ca jijñāsā śreya etad asaṃśayam ||
Disse Nārada: Estudar os Vedas com espírito de dharma, e do mesmo modo estudar o Vedānta, e sustentar uma investigação sincera do sentido que conduz ao verdadeiro conhecimento—isso, sem dúvida, é um meio para o bem supremo.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical living (dharma) should be the foundation for scriptural study; along with Vedic and Vedāntic learning, one must maintain sincere inquiry into knowledge. Such dharma-grounded study and inquiry is declared a sure means to śreyas—true and lasting welfare.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-focused setting, the sage Nārada speaks as a teacher, emphasizing the proper orientation of learning: not mere recitation, but study undertaken righteously and aimed at understanding, culminating in liberating knowledge.