Shloka 38
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
उपायं धर्ममेवाहुस्त्रिवर्गस्य विशाम्पते । लिप्समानो हि तेनाशु कक्षेडग्निरिव वर्धते
upāyaṃ dharmam evāhus trivargasya viśāṃpate | lipsamāno hi tenāśu kakṣed agnir iva vardhate ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：“噢，万民之主！智者宣称，唯有达摩才是真正达成生命三大目标的途径。凡依达摩而求财富与享乐者，必将迅速精进增长——如烈火在枯草间蔓延。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is presented as the primary and reliable means for attaining the three human aims (dharma, artha, kāma). When wealth and pleasure are pursued under the guidance of dharma, progress becomes rapid and self-reinforcing—illustrated by the image of fire swiftly spreading through dry grass.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-filled context, Vaiśampāyana narrates a didactic statement addressed to a ruler (“lord of the people”), emphasizing that wise policy and personal striving should be grounded in dharma, since it accelerates and stabilizes the attainment of worldly goals.