Shloka 10
Cāturāśramya-dharma—Marks of the Four Āśramas (चातुराश्रम्यधर्मः)
अन्यथा वर्तमानस्य नासौ वृत्ति: प्रकल्प्यते । कर्मणा वर्धते धर्मो यथाधर्मस्तथैव सः:,जो ब्राह्मण इसके विपरीत आचरण करता है, उसके लिये ब्राह्मणोचित वृत्तिकी व्यवस्था नहीं की जाती। कर्मसे ही धर्मकी वृद्धि होती है। जो जिस प्रकारके धर्मको अपनाता है, वह वैसा ही हो जाता है
anyathā vartamānasya nāsau vṛttiḥ prakalpyate | karmaṇā vardhate dharmo yathādharmas tathaiva saḥ ||
Para aquele que se conduz de modo contrário ao que é devido, não se deve prescrever um meio de vida condizente com um brâmane. O dharma cresce por meio dos atos; e qualquer espécie de dharma—ou de adharma—que alguém adote na prática, nessa mesma natureza ele é moldado.
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is not merely a label or birth-based claim; it is strengthened by concrete action. A person becomes shaped by the kind of dharma (or adharma) he repeatedly practices, and improper conduct disqualifies one from being assigned a ‘proper’ or sanctioned mode of life.
Indra is instructing about ethical conduct and the principle that one’s status and rightful livelihood depend on behavior. He emphasizes that actions cultivate dharma, and habitual adherence to dharma or adharma transforms the person accordingly.