Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 29
अध्याय १२८: शिव–उमा संवादः — तिलोत्तमा, श्मशान-मेध्यता, तथा चातुर्वर्ण्य-धर्मः
Chapter 128: Śiva–Umā Dialogue—Tilottamā, the Ritual Valence of the Śmaśāna, and the Fourfold Duty-Code
अविद्दान् भीरुरल्पार्थे विद्याविक्रमदानजम् । यशः प्रार्थयसे नूनं तेनासि हरिण: कृश:
avidvān bhīrur alpārthe vidyā-vikrama-dāna-jam | yaśaḥ prārthayase nūnaṃ tenāsi hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ ||
Wika ng Brahmana: “Tunay nga, hindi ka naman tunay na marunong, ngunit hinahangad mo ang katanyagang sinasabing nagmumula sa karunungan. Bagaman duwag, minimithi mo ang dangal na bunga ng kagitingan; bagaman kakaunti ang yaman, nais mo ang pangalan ng dakilang mapagkaloob. Kaya ka naging payat at maputla gaya ng usa—nilalamon ng pagnanasa sa reputasyon nang wala ang panloob na sangkap na siyang pinagmumulan nito.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Renown should be the natural consequence of genuine qualities—true learning, real courage, and actual generosity. Seeking the label of virtue without possessing its substance leads to inner strain and decline.
A Brāhmaṇa rebukes someone who is chasing different kinds of fame—of scholarship, heroism, and charity—despite lacking the corresponding capacities. He explains the person’s emaciation as the result of anxious, misplaced desire for reputation.