Shloka 45
Sanatsujāta-Āhvāna (Summoning Sanatsujāta) — Vidura’s Invocation and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Doubt
श्री: सुखस्येह संवास: सा चापि परिपन्थिनी । ब्राह्मी सुदुर्लभा श्रीहिं प्रज्ञाहीनेन क्षत्रिय
śrīḥ sukhasyeha saṃvāsaḥ sā cāpi paripanthinī | brāhmī sudurlabhā śrīḥ prajñāhīnena kṣatriya, rājan ||
Sinabi ni Sanatsujāta: “Sa mundong ito, ang kasaganaan (śrī) ay itinuturing na tahanan ng ginhawa; subalit ang kasaganaan ding iyon ay maaaring maging gaya ng tulisan sa lansangan sa landas tungo sa tunay na kabutihan, humahadlang sa mas mataas na kapakinabangan. Ngunit ang ‘Brahmikong’ kasaganaan—yaman na anyo ng kaalaman sa Brahman—ay lubhang bihira para sa taong salat sa pag-unawa, O haring Kṣatriya.”
सनत्युजात उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly prosperity can provide comfort yet also obstruct the path of true good by fostering attachment and distraction; only spiritual ‘wealth’ grounded in Brahman-knowledge is truly elevating, and it is rare for those lacking discernment (prajñā).
In the Sanatsujāta-upākhyāna within Udyoga Parva, the sage instructs the king on higher values before the impending war, warning that royal prosperity and pleasure can hinder spiritual progress, while urging the pursuit of wisdom.