Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 42
कालयुक्तधर्मविवेकः
Discerning Dharma in Accord with Time
केनायुर्लभते दीर्घ कर्मणा पुरुष: प्रभो । तपसा वापि देवेश केनायुर्लभते महत्,प्रभो! मनुष्य किस कर्मसे दीर्घायु प्राप्त करता है? तथा देवेश्वर! किस तपस्यासे मनुष्यको बड़ी आयु प्राप्त होती है?
kenāyur labhate dīrghaṃ karmaṇā puruṣaḥ prabho | tapasā vāpi deveśa kenāyur labhate mahat ||
“O Panginoon, sa anong uri ng gawa (karma) nakakamit ng tao ang mahabang buhay? At, O Panginoon ng mga diyos, sa anong uri ng pag-aayuno at disiplina (tapas) nagkakamit ang tao ng dakilang haba ng buhay?”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames longevity as not merely biological chance but as something connected to dharmic action (karma) and disciplined austerity (tapas). It invites reflection on which kinds of deeds and self-restraint are considered life-sustaining within the epic’s moral universe.
Śrī Maheśvara addresses the supreme Lord (called ‘Prabho’ and ‘Deveśa’) with a direct inquiry, asking what actions and what austerities lead a human being to attain long life and a great lifespan.