Shloka 2
नारद–असित (देवल) संवादः — भूतप्रभवाप्यय, इन्द्रिय-गुण-विवेक, क्षेत्रज्ञ-तत्त्व
गार्हस्थ्यस्य च धर्मस्य योगधर्मस्य चोभयो: । अदूरसम्प्रस्थितयो: किंस्विच्छेय: पितामह,दादाजी! गार्हस्थ्यधर्म और योगधर्म दोनों एक दूसरेसे दूर नहीं हैं, तथापि उन दोनोंमेंसे कौन श्रेष्ठ है? यह बतानेकी कृपा करें
gārhasthyasya ca dharmasya yogadharmasya cobhayoḥ | adūrasamprasthitayoḥ kiṃsvid śreyaḥ pitāmaha ||
ہُمَتسین نے کہا— اے پِتامہ! گِرہستھ دھرم اور یوگ دھرم اپنے مقصد اور روح میں ایک دوسرے سے دور نہیں؛ پھر بھی ان دونوں قریب راہوں میں حقیقتاً کون سا شریَس (اعلیٰ خیر) ہے؟ کرم فرما کر بتائیے۔
हुमत्सेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic Mahābhārata ethical inquiry: when two dharmic paths—responsible household life and yogic discipline—both aim at the good, how should one discern śreyas (the highest good). It invites a nuanced hierarchy based on inner aim, conduct, and realization rather than mere external form.
Humatsena respectfully asks an elder (addressed as pitāmaha) to adjudicate between two closely related life-paths: gārhasthya-dharma (social and familial duty) and yoga-dharma (spiritual discipline/renunciation). The question sets up a didactic response typical of Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma.