Shloka 45
कपिलगोसंवादे गृहस्थ-त्यागधर्मयोः प्रमाण्यविचारः
Kapila–Cow Dialogue: Authority of Householder and Renunciant Dharmas
कालेन महतागच्छत् स तु वाराणसी पुरीम् । विक्रीणन्तं च पण्यानि तुलाधारं ददर्श सः
kālena mahatā gacchat sa tu vārāṇasīṃ purīm | vikrīṇantaṃ ca paṇyāni tulādhāraṃ dadarśa saḥ ||
Pagkaraan ng mahabang panahon, nagtungo siya sa lungsod ng Vārāṇasī. Doon niya nakita si Tulādhāra—ang “tagapaghawak ng timbangan,” isang mangangalakal na tumitimbang ng mga paninda—na abala sa pagbebenta ng kanyang mga kalakal. Tahimik na inilalatag ng tagpong ito ang tanong: paano nananahan ang dharma kahit sa karaniwang kabuhayan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up an ethical reflection: dharma is not confined to ascetics or kings; it can be encountered in ordinary social roles such as trade, where honesty, fairness, and right measure (symbolized by the balance) become moral touchstones.
After a long time, the protagonist reaches Vārāṇasī and notices a merchant weighing and selling goods—a ‘tulādhāra’. This sight introduces a forthcoming discussion or exemplum centered on conduct and righteousness in worldly life.