धर्मार्थं यस्य वित्तेहा वरं तस्य निरीहता ।
प्रक्षालनाद्धि पङ्कस्य दूरादस्पर्शनं वरम् ॥

dharmārthaṁ yasya vittehā varaṁ tasya nirīhatā |
prakṣālanād dhi paṅkasya dūrād asparśanaṁ varam ||
(Mahābhārata: 3.2.49; cited in Hitopadeśa: 1.174)

“For one who desires [alt., pursues] wealth for the sake of dharma, desirelessness [alt., non-pursuit] is better, just as remaining untouched by mud from afar is better than washing [it off after touching it].”

Alternate version

धर्मार्थं यस्य वित्तेहा तस्यापि शुभावहा ।
प्रक्षालनाद्धि पङ्कस्य दूरादस्पर्शनं वरम् ॥

dharmārthaṁ yasya vittehā tasyāpi na śubhāvahā |
prakṣālanād dhi paṅkasya dūrād asparśanaṁ varam ||
(Pañcatantra: 2.162)

“Wealth is not auspicious even for one who desires it for the sake of dharma, just as remaining untouched by mud from afar is better than washing [it off after touching it].”

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