Shloka 18
Vasiṣṭha on Saṃsāra, Guṇas, and Misattributed Agency
Mahābhārata 12.292
अनहश्नाहतां प्राप्ता: सन्त: स्तुत्वा तमेव ह । नतु वृद्धिमिहान्विच्छेत् कर्म कृत्वा जुगुप्सितम्
anahaśnāhatāṁ prāptāḥ santaḥ stutvā tameva ha | na tu vṛddhim ihānvicchet karma kṛtvā jugupsitam ||
पाराशर उवाच—येऽपि पूजायोग्या नासन् तेऽपि तमेव स्तुत्वा सन्तः पूज्यतां प्राप्ताः तमेव च प्रापुः। तस्मादिह लोके जुगुप्सितं कर्म कृत्वा कश्चिदपि वृद्धिमभ्युदयं वा नान्विच्छेत्।
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Devotion and sincere praise of Viṣṇu can elevate even those previously unworthy, but one should not expect genuine prosperity or spiritual uplift by engaging in reprehensible conduct; ethical action is essential.
Parāśara is instructing his listener within the Śānti Parva’s dharma-discourse: he cites the transformative power of praising Viṣṇu, then draws a moral conclusion that blameworthy actions cannot be a means to true advancement.