Manava Dharmashastra 6.64

6.64

adharmātprabhava utpattiḥ | duḥkhena yo yogaḥ pīḍānubhavaḥ | dharma uktalakṣaṇo yaḥ padārthaḥ, tataḥ sukhenārakṣayena saṃyogaḥ | etadapyavekṣyam | pārivrājyaṃ ca mukhyo dharma ityabhiprāyaḥ |

On the infliction of pain upon living beings, caused by demerit; as also upon the imperishable union with happiness proceeding from the essence of merit.—(64)

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):
The ‘infliction’—experiencing—‘of pain’ proceeds from Demerit.

‘Merit’—as described above, is an ‘artha’, an ‘entity’ and from this—entity, essence—proceeds ‘union with imperishable happiness’.

This also has to be reflected upon.

The meaning is that Renunciation constitutes the principal merit.—(64)

This verse is quoted in Aparārka (p. 968);—and in Yatidharmasaṅgraha (p. 35).

Comparative notes by various authors
Viṣṇu (96.40-42).—‘He shall reflect thus that there is no pleasure to bo met within this never-ceasing passage of the soul through mundane existence; and that even what is called pleasure, on account of the absence of pain, is of a transient nature; and that he who is unable to enjoy such pleasures, from sickness and other causes, or who is unable to procure them, suffers severe pangs.’

Yājñavalkya (3.63.64).—(See under 61.)