Shloka 1

Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga

Non-attachment

Devanagari script

ऑपन-मा_ज (_) डे सप्ताशीरत्याधिकद्विशततमो< ध्याय: नारदजीका गालव मुनिको श्रेयका उपदेश युधिछिर उवाच अतत्त्वज्ञस्य शास्त्राणां सततं संशयात्मन: | अकृतव्यवसायस्य श्रेयो ब्रूहि पितामह

Transliteration

Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | atattvajñasya śāstrāṇāṃ satataṃ saṃśayātmanaḥ | akṛtavyavasāyasya śreyo brūhi pitāmaha ||

Translation

尤提士提罗说道：“祖父啊，请告诉我：对于一个不明白经典真实旨趣、心念恒为疑惑所缠、又未立坚定誓愿与自律修行的人，真正的善（śreyas）何在？这样的人如何才能获得安稳与福祉？”

Word by Word

• अतत्त्वज्ञस्य: of one who does not know the truth/essence
• अतत्त्वज्ञस्य: Sambandha
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतत्त्वज्ञ
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• शास्त्राणाम्: of the scriptures/treatises
• शास्त्राणाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: शास्त्र
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• सततम्: always/constantly
• सततम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत

• संशयात्मनः: of one whose nature is doubt
• संशयात्मनः: Sambandha
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संशयात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• अकृतव्यवसायस्य: of one who has not undertaken/formed resolve (no determined effort)
• अकृतव्यवसायस्य: Sambandha
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अकृतव्यवसाय
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• श्रेयः: the good; welfare; highest good
• श्रेयः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रेयस्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• ब्रूहि: tell (you)
• ब्रूहि: Kriya
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (ब्रवीति)
• Form: Imperative, Second, Singular, Parasmaipada

• पितामह: O grandsire (Bhishma)
• पितामह: Sambodhana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितामह
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Bhīṣma (Pitāmaha)
• śāstra (scriptures)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames a prerequisite for śreyas (true welfare): mere exposure to śāstra is insufficient without grasping its essence (tattva), overcoming chronic doubt through discernment, and adopting firm resolve (vyavasāya) in practice. It sets up Bhīṣma’s instruction on how clarity, conviction, and disciplined effort enable ethical and spiritual progress.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira, seeking guidance after the war, questions Bhīṣma (lying on the bed of arrows) about dharma and the path to the highest good. Here he asks specifically how a person who lacks true understanding of scripture, remains perpetually doubtful, and has no settled commitment can attain welfare—inviting Bhīṣma’s counsel.