No Sukha Without Dharma
Niti Chalisa
सुखार्थाः सर्वभूतानां मताः सर्वाः प्रवृत्तयः । सुखं च न विना धर्मात् तस्माद्धर्मपरी भवेत् ।।
(अष्टाङ्गहृदयसूत्र २.२०)
“सब प्राणियोंकी सब प्रवृत्तियाँ सुखके लिये होती हैं। सुख बिना धर्मके नहीं होता, अतः धर्मपरायण होना चाहिये ।।”
Essence
This verse from Svargarohana Parva of Mahabharata motivates us to stand with dharma against all odds. It urges us not to forsake dharma out of desire, fear, greed or even to save one’s (our) life.
When our dharma is performed selflessly in the form of yajna and knowing the nature of “Self” it has its fruit in the form of moksha or ultimate liberation.
Saṁskr̥t words in context:
(1)Pravitti – tendency
