Shloka 27

Śānti-parva 168: Śoka-nivṛtti-buddhi (The Cognition that Reduces Grief) and Piṅgalā’s Nairāśya

Devanagari script

धर्म समाचरेत्‌ पूर्व ततो<र्थ धर्मसंयुतम्‌ ततः काम चरेत्‌ पश्चात्‌ सिद्धार्थ: स हि तत्परम्‌

Transliteration

dharmaṃ samācaret pūrvaṃ tato 'rthaṃ dharma-saṃyutam | tataḥ kāmaṃ caret paścāt siddhārthaḥ sa hi tatparam ||

Translation

毗舍摩波耶那说：“当先行法；继而以合乎法的方式求取财富。其后，调和二者，方可追求迦摩（正当的享乐）。如此按次第汇聚人生三义，便能志业有成，所愿皆遂。”

Word by Word

• धर्मम्: dharma, righteousness
• धर्मम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• समाचरेत्: should practice/observe
• समाचरेत्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + चर्
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-lin), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• पूर्वम्: first, earlier
• पूर्वम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• अर्थम्: wealth, purpose (here: wealth/artha)
• अर्थम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• धर्मसंयुतम्: endowed with dharma, righteous
• धर्मसंयुतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म-संयुत
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• कामम्: desire, pleasure
• कामम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• चरेत्: should pursue/practice
• चरेत्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर्
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-lin), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• पश्चात्: afterwards, later
• पश्चात्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात्

• सिद्धार्थः: one whose aims are accomplished; successful
• सिद्धार्थः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिद्ध-अर्थ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• हि: indeed, for
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि

• तत्परम्: devoted to that; intent on that (goal)
• तत्परम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत्-पर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches the proper sequencing and integration of the three human aims (trivarga): begin with dharma (ethical foundation), then pursue artha (wealth/power) only when governed by dharma, and finally enjoy kāma (pleasure) in a way compatible with both. This ordered life leads to true success and fulfillment.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, Vaiśampāyana continues conveying instruction on right conduct and governance of life’s aims, emphasizing that prosperity and enjoyment are legitimate only when rooted in dharma and pursued in a disciplined order.