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Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 26

चिरकारि-उपाख्यानम् / The Exemplum of Cirakārī: Deliberation Before Irreversible Action

लोकसंग्रहसंयुक्तं विधात्रा विहितं पुरा । सूक्ष्मधर्मार्थनियतं सतां चरितमुत्तमम्‌

lokasaṅgrahasaṁyuktaṁ vidhātrā vihitaṁ purā | sūkṣmadharmārthaniyataṁ satāṁ caritam uttamam ||

毗湿摩说道:“在久远的往昔,造化之主为贤善之人立下高贵的行为准则——此等行持以世间的福祉与凝聚为旨归,并与达摩与阿尔塔(artha)的微妙原则严密相契。”

लोकसंग्रहसंयुक्तम्endowed with (the aim of) welfare of the world
लोकसंग्रहसंयुक्तम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootलोकसंग्रहसंयुक्त
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
विधात्राby the Creator/Ordainer
विधात्रा:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootविधातृ
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
विहितम्ordained/laid down
विहितम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootवि-धा
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
पुराformerly/long ago
पुरा:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootपुरा
सूक्ष्मधर्मार्थनियतम्regulated with respect to subtle dharma and artha
सूक्ष्मधर्मार्थनियतम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootसूक्ष्मधर्मार्थनियत
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
सताम्of the good/virtuous (people)
सताम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootसत्
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
चरितम्conduct/practice
चरितम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootचरित
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
उत्तमम्excellent/supreme
उत्तमम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootउत्तम
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhishma
V
Vidhatr (Creator/Ordainer)
S
Sat (the virtuous/good people)
L
Loka (the world)

Educational Q&A

True exemplary conduct is not private virtue alone; it is conduct ordained to sustain the world (lokasaṅgraha) and must be guided by a subtle, well-regulated understanding of both dharma (moral order) and artha (practical welfare).

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and right living, Bhishma explains to the listener that the ancient standard of the virtuous was established for universal welfare and embodies refined discernment of dharma and artha.