Shloka 1
Adhyāya 180: Jīva, Śarīra, and the Fire Analogy (भृगु–भरद्वाज संवादः)
अरक्रा - एक गृहस्थके घरपर कुछ अतिथि आ गये। घरके सब लोग कहीं बाहर चले गये थे। भीतर केवल एक कुमारी कन्या थी
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: kena vṛttena vṛttajña vītaśokaś care(n) mahīm? kiñ ca kurvann naro loke prāpnoti gatim uttamām?
尤提希提罗说道：“通晓正行之人啊，凭何种生活方式，世人得以无忧无悲而行走于大地？又在此世间，行何等事，方能使人达到至高之归宿？”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the central ethical inquiry of the chapter: which disciplined way of life (vṛtta) leads to freedom from grief and what kind of action or practice leads to the highest human end (uttamā gati). It sets up a dharma-oriented discussion on inner freedom and ultimate attainment.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, King Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the revered elder (Bhīṣma, ‘Pitāmaha’) and asks for guidance: how one should live in the world without being overcome by sorrow, and what one should do to reach the supreme goal.