Mahabharata Shanti Parva – अल्पं तु साधु भूयिष्ठं यत कर्मॊदारम एव तत्

Shloka (श्लोक)

अल्पं तु साधु भूयिष्ठं यत कर्मॊदारम एव तत्
कृतम एवाकृताच छरेयॊ न पापीयॊ ऽसत्य अकर्मणः

⚡ Quick Meaning

Even a little righteous action is superior to non-action or sinful deeds.

Translations

English Translation

Even a small act of goodness is far more valuable than actions that are sinfully negligent. What matters is that every sincere effort be recognized as a step towards virtue, outweighing inaction or wrongful deeds.

हिंदी अनुवाद

छोटी-सी धार्मिक क्रिया भी अन्यायपूर्ण कार्यों या निष्क्रियता से कहीं अधिक मूल्यवान होती है। महत्वपूर्ण यह है कि हर ईमानदार प्रयास को सद्गुण की ओर कदम के रूप में देखा जाए।

Commentary

Context

This shloka encourages minimal yet righteous actions, and appears in the discussions of the Shanti Parva pertaining to virtuous living.

Meaning

It suggests that even minor good deeds contribute significantly, emphasizing the importance of action over inaction.

Application

Every small act of kindness or virtue can lead to significant change, encouraging a proactive approach to ethics in daily life.