Shloka 10
Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
वने ग्राम्यसुखाचारो यथा ग्राम्यस्तथैव सः । ग्रामे वनसुखाचारो यथा वनचरस्तथा,वनमें रहकर भी जो ग्रामीण सुखोंका उपभोग करनेमें लगा है, उसको ग्रामीण ही समझना चाहिये तथा गाँवोंमें रहकर भी जो वनवासी मुनियोंके-से बर्तावमें ही सुख मानता है, उसकी गिनती वनवासियोंमें ही करनी चाहिये
vane grāmyasukhācāro yathā grāmyaḥ tathaiva saḥ | grāme vanasukhācāro yathā vanacaraḥ tathā ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Mesmo que alguém viva na floresta, se sua conduta se dedica aos prazeres da vida da aldeia, deve ser considerado ‘aldeão’ em espírito. E mesmo que viva na aldeia, se encontra felicidade na disciplina dos sábios que habitam a floresta, deve ser contado entre os moradores da floresta. A pessoa não é definida pelo lugar, mas pelo modo de vida e pelos valores que escolhe cultivar.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One’s true identity is determined by conduct and values, not by physical residence. Living in a forest does not make one ascetic if one pursues worldly pleasures; living in a village does not prevent one from being ‘forest-like’ if one practices restraint and sage-like discipline.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira by contrasting outward circumstances (forest or village) with inner orientation (worldly enjoyment or ascetic contentment), emphasizing ethical character over external appearance.