Shloka 17
इह प्राज्ञो हि पुरुष: स्वल्पमप्रियमिच्छति । यस्य स्वल्पं प्रियं लोके ध्रुवं तस्याल्पमप्रियम्
iha prājño hi puruṣaḥ svalpam apriyam icchati | yasya svalpaṃ priyaṃ loke dhruvaṃ tasyālpam apriyam ||
Neste mundo, o homem sábio deseja apenas uma pequena medida do que é desagradável. Pois aquele cuja porção do que é agradável no mundo é pequena, certamente terá também pequena a porção do que é desagradável.
पुत्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches moderation and restraint: the wise minimize both the pursuit of pleasure and the acceptance of displeasure. By not chasing excessive worldly ‘priya’ (pleasant gains), one also avoids the inevitable ‘apriya’ (unpleasant consequences) that accompany such pursuits.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-filled setting before the great conflict, the speaker identified as “the son” offers a reflective maxim on worldly conduct: a prudent person limits desires, and thereby limits the suffering that typically follows from craving and attachment.