Shloka 203
Duryodhana-vadha-pratikriyā: Harṣa, Nindā, and Kṛṣṇa’s Nīti-vyākhyā (Śalya-parva 60)
धर्म: सुचरित: सद्धिः स च द्वाभ्यां नियच्छति । श्रीकृष्णकी यह बात सुनकर धर्मज्ञ हलधरने इस प्रकार कहा--*श्रीकृष्ण! श्रेष्ठ पुरुषोंने धर्मका अच्छी तरह आचरण किया है; किंतु वह अर्थ और काम--इन दो वस्तुओंसे संकुचित हो जाता है
dharmaḥ sucaritaḥ saddhiḥ sa ca dvābhyāṁ niyacchati |
三阇耶说道：“达摩为贤善之人所善行；然而它却受两种力量所牵制——阿尔塔（利、财、世间之益）与迦摩（欲望）。”在战争叙事的伦理张力中，此句揭示：即便是人所共知、传统所奉行的正道，也会在逐利与私欲的逼迫下被收窄，乃至被凌驾。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when dharma is known and practiced by the virtuous, it can be practically limited by artha (self-interest, gain) and kāma (desire). The verse highlights how moral clarity is often pressured and narrowed by worldly incentives and personal cravings.
In Sanjaya’s narration during the Shalya Parva, a reflection is offered on the fragility of dharma amid conflict: the war setting repeatedly shows how leaders and warriors, though aware of righteousness, become constrained by ambition and desire.