Shloka 48
Kośa, Bala, and Maryādā: Treasury, Capacity, and Enforceable Limits (कोश-बल-मर्यादा)
दानेन कर्मणा चान्ये तपसान्ये तपस्विन: । बुद्धया दाक्ष्येण चैवान्ये विन्दन्ति धनसंचयान्
dānena karmaṇā cānye tapasānye tapaspinaḥ | buddhyā dākṣyeṇa caivānye vindanti dhana-saṃcayān ||
毗湿摩说道：“有人以布施与正当之业积聚财富；有人为苦行者，则以苦行（tapas）而得。又有人凭智慧与实务之能获得财藏。此教诲在于：兴盛可由不同的修持而来——德行、自制与明辨的才干——各自都负有其相应的伦理分量。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth and prosperity can arise from multiple legitimate sources—charity and righteous work, ascetic austerity, and intelligent skill. The verse highlights that different virtues and disciplines can lead to material gain, implying that the ethical quality of one’s means matters as much as the result.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right living, Bhishma is explaining to the listener that people attain wealth through varied paths—generosity, action, austerity, and intellect—framing prosperity within a broader moral and spiritual discussion.