Mahabharata — Svargarohana Parva, Shloka 62
Svargārohaṇa-parva Adhyāya 5 — Karmaphala-Nirdeśa and Phalāśruti (कर्मफलनिर्देशः फलश्रुतिश्च)
ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्विरौम्येष न च कश्चित् शूणोति मे । धर्मादर्थक्ष॒ कामश्ष॒ स किमर्थ न सेव्यते
ūrdhvabāhur viraūmyeṣa na ca kaścit śṛṇoti me | dharmād arthaś ca kāmaś ca sa kimarthaṁ na sevyate ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Iwinawagayway ko sa itaas ang dalawang kamay at paulit-ulit na sumisigaw, ngunit walang nakikinig sa akin. Mula sa dharma ay nagmumula hindi lamang ang paglaya, kundi pati ang kasaganaan at wastong ligaya—kung gayon, bakit tumatanggi pa rin ang mga tao na isabuhay ito?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is not merely a moral ideal; it is presented as the foundation that yields all human aims—moksha (liberation) as well as artha (well-being) and kāma (legitimate enjoyment). The lament underscores that people ignore dharma despite its comprehensive benefits.
The speaker (Vaiśampāyana, narrating) voices a proverbial lament: he publicly proclaims the supremacy and practicality of dharma—symbolized by raising both arms and crying out—yet observes that people remain unwilling to listen or live by it.