Shloka 1
Viṣṇor Māhātmya and Indriya-saṃyama (विष्णोर्माहात्म्यं तथा इन्द्रियसंयमः)
ऑपनआक्रात बछ। अं द्विसप्तत्याधिकद्विशततमो< ध्याय: यज्ञमें हिंसाकी निन्दा और अहिंसाकी प्रशंसा युधिछिर उवाच बहूनां यज्ञतपसामेकार्थानां पितामह । धर्मार्थ न सुखार्थार्थ कथं यज्ञ: समाहित:
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | bahūnāṁ yajña-tapasām ekārthānāṁ pitāmaha | dharmārthaṁ na sukhārthārthaṁ kathaṁ yajñaḥ samāhitaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Lolo, maraming uri ng paghahandog (yajña) at pag-aayuno/pagtitika (tapas), at maaari silang magtaglay ng iisang layon—ang pagkalugod ng Kataas-taasan. Ngunit paano isinasagawa nang wasto ang paghahandog na ang tanging hangarin ay dharma, hindi ang ligaya sa langit o pakinabang na yaman?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry: the value of sacrifice depends on intention. Yudhiṣṭhira asks how a yajña can be performed purely as dharma—without being driven by desire for pleasure (svarga-sukha) or wealth—anticipating the chapter’s broader evaluation of ritual, violence, and the praise of ahiṁsā.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction scene, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Grandfather’ and seeks guidance. He notes that many sacrifices and austerities can share one aim (divine pleasure), and asks Bhīṣma to explain the proper way to carry out a sacrifice motivated solely by dharma rather than reward.