Mbh 12.167.1

Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Vaisampayana said, 'When Bhishma, after having said this, became silent, Yudhishthira (and the others) returned home. The king addressing his brothers with Vidura forming the fifth, said, "The course of the world rests upon Virtue, Wealth, and Desire. Amongst these three, which is the foremost, which the second, and which the last, in point of importance? For subduing the triple aggregate (viz., lust, wrath, and covetousness), upon which of the first three (viz., Virtue, Wealth, and Desire) should the mind be fixed? It behoveth you all to cheerfully answer this question in words that are true." Thus addressed by the Kuru chief, Vidura, who was conversant with the science of Profit, with the course of the world, and with truth (that concerns the real nature of things), and possessed of great brilliancy of intellect, spoke first these words, recollecting the contents of the scriptures.'

Mbh 12.167.1 · Mahabharata · SANTI PARVA

Themes in this passage

Desire Dharma Speech Wealth Anger Greed Leadership Truth

Desire in other traditions

The same theme, as Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Islam address it.

From lust comes grief, from lust comes fear; he who is free from lust knows neither grief nor fear.

Dhp 16.214 · Dhammapada · Pleasure

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Philippians 4:17 · Bible · Philippians

If this transformation became to me an object of desire, I would express the desire by the nameless simplicity. Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their will. PART II.

Tao Te Ching 37.3 · Tao Te Ching

And He it is Who hath appointed night and day in succession, for him who desireth to remember, or desireth thankfulness.

Quran 25:62 · Quran · The Criterion

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