Shloka 3
Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
भगवन् किमिदं श्रेय: प्रेत्य चापीह वा भवेत् । पुरुषस्याध्रुवे देहे कामस्य वशवर्तिन:,“भगवन्! इस क्षणभंगुर शरीरमें कामके अधीन होकर रहनेवाले पुरुषका इस लोक और परलोकमें किस उपायसे कल्याण हो सकता है?
bhagavan kim idaṃ śreyaḥ pretya cāpīha vā bhavet | puruṣasyādhruve dehe kāmasya vaśavartinaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O Mapalad na Panginoon, anong landas ang nagdadala sa tunay na kapakanan—pagkaraan ng kamatayan at dito sa daigdig—para sa taong nananahan sa katawang di-mananatili at namumuhay sa ilalim ng paghahari ng pagnanasa?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral problem: when a person is ruled by kāma (desire) while living in an impermanent body, what discipline or path can secure śreyas—genuine welfare—both in this life and after death. It sets up the need for self-mastery and dharmic guidance rather than impulse-driven living.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, Bhīṣma addresses a revered teacher (‘Bhagavān’) and asks for instruction on the means of attaining well-being in both worlds for those dominated by desire, introducing a didactic discussion on conduct, restraint, and the pursuit of the highest good.