सनत्सुजात उवाच
उभयम् एव तत्रोपभुज्यते फलं; धर्मस्यैवेतरस्य च ॥
धर्मेणाधर्मं प्रणुदतीह विद्वान्; धर्मो बलीयान् इति तस्य विद्धि ॥
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
यान् इमान् आहुः स्वस्य धर्मस्य लोकान्; द्विजातीनां पुण्यकृतां सनातनान् ॥
तेषां परिक्रमान् कथयन्तस् ततो ऽन्यान्; नैतद् विद्वन् नैव कृतं च कर्म ॥
सनत्सुजात उवाच
येषां बले न विस्पर्धा बले बलवताम् इव ॥
ते ब्राह्मणा इतः प्रेत्य स्वर्गलोके प्रकाशते ॥
यत्र मन्येत भूयिष्ठं प्रावृषीव तृणोलपम् ॥
अन्नं पानं च ब्राह्मणस् तज् जीवन् नानुसंज्वरेत् ॥
यत्राकथयमानस्य प्रयच्छत्य् अशिवं भयम् ॥
अतिरिक्तम् इवाकुर्वन् स श्रेयान् नेतरो जनः ॥
sanatsujāta uvāca
ubhayam eva tatropabhujyate phalaṃ; dharmasyaivetarasya ca ||
dharmeṇādharmaṃ praṇudatīha vidvān; dharmo balīyān iti tasya viddhi ||
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
yān imān āhuḥ svasya dharmasya lokān; dvijātīnāṃ puṇyakṛtāṃ sanātanān ||
teṣāṃ parikramān kathayantas tato 'nyān; naitad vidvan naiva kṛtaṃ ca karma ||
sanatsujāta uvāca
yeṣāṃ bale na vispardhā bale balavatām iva ||
te brāhmaṇā itaḥ pretya svargaloke prakāśate ||
yatra manyeta bhūyiṣṭhaṃ prāvṛṣīva tṛṇolapam ||
annaṃ pānaṃ ca brāhmaṇas taj jīvan nānusaṃjvaret ||
yatrākathayamānasya prayacchaty aśivaṃ bhayam ||
atiriktam ivākurvan sa śreyān netaro janaḥ ||
O learned sage, tell me all this truthfully.' 5 Sanatsujata said: 'There is a strong objection to fully identifying (as is done here) two different entities that always arise from the union of Conditions (with That which by its very nature is free of Conditions). This view does not diminish the supremacy of the Unborn and Ancient One. As for men, they too arise from the union of Conditions. All that appears is nothing other than the eternal Supreme Soul. The transformations the Veda ascribes to this power (of self-transformation) belong to the Supreme Soul, for the identity of the power and its possessor is affirmed as authoritative both by the Vedas and by other sources.' 6 Dhritarashtra said: 'In this world some practice virtue, while others renounce action, or karma (adopting what is called sannyasa-yoga). (Honoring those who practice virtue) I ask: is virtue able to destroy vice, or is it itself destroyed by vice?' Sanatsujata said: 'The fruits of virtue and of (complete) inaction are both useful in this respect (that is, for attaining liberation). Indeed, both are reliable means for attaining liberation. The wise man, however, achieves success through knowledge (of inaction). The materialist, on the other hand, acquires merit (through action) and, as a consequence, liberation. The man of action once again becomes attached to action owing to his former virtues and vices. Yet the man of action who possesses discernment destroys his sins through his virtuous deeds.
97b45ef7e9d1 · published Jul 17, 2026, 4:31:17 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
This passage (5.42.16-20) develops the central theme of the Udyoga-parva: the effort toward peace is already underway against the backdrop of an inevitable war. Key themes: Dhritarashtra, dharma. Dharma is revealed here through speech, the choice of embassy, fidelity to one's word, and the responsibility of kings for the consequences of their decisions.