Shloka 2

Devanagari script

धर्मस्त्वयमिहार्थ: किममुत्रार्थोडपि वा भवेत्‌ | उभयार्थों हि वा धर्मस्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह

Transliteration

dharmaḥ tvayam ihārthaḥ kim amutrārtho 'pi vā bhavet | ubhayārtho hi vā dharmas tan me brūhi pitāmaha pitāmaha ||

Translation

由提施提罗又问：“祖父啊，法在此是指只为今世安乐而行之业吗？还是指为来世福祉而作之事？抑或法乃能成就两世之善——此世与彼世——的行为？愿祖父明白告我。”

Word by Word

• {'dharmaḥ': 'dharma

• that which upholds', 'tvayam': 'this (indeed)

• this very (emphatic)', 'iha': 'here

• in this world', 'arthaḥ': 'purpose

• welfare', 'kim': 'whether?

• what?', 'amutra': 'there

• hereafter', 'api': 'also

• even', 'vā': 'or', 'bhavet': 'may be

• is it to be considered?', 'ubhayārthaḥ': 'having benefit in both ways

• serving both ends (this world and the next)', 'hi': 'indeed

• for', 'tan': 'that', 'me': 'to me', 'brūhi': 'tell

• explain', 'pitāmaha': 'O Grandfather (Bhīṣma)'}

Speaker

युधिषछ्िर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Bhīṣma (Pitāmaha)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames dharma as a question of ends: is it defined by worldly benefit, by otherworldly merit, or by a synthesis that supports both. It sets up Bhīṣma’s ethical instruction by demanding a definition of dharma that can guide action amid competing goals.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Yudhiṣṭhira—seeking clarity after the war—questions Bhīṣma, the revered elder, about what truly counts as dharma: actions aimed at prosperity here, salvation/merit hereafter, or conduct that harmonizes both.