Shloka 16
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
इदं चैवापरं देवि ब्रह्मणा समुदाह्नतम् । अध्यात्मं नैछ्िकं सद्धिर्धर्मकामैनिषिव्यते
idaṃ caivāparaṃ devi brahmaṇā samudāhṛtam | adhyātmaṃ naiṣṭhikaṃ sād-bhir dharma-kāmaiḥ niṣevyate devi ||
দেৱী! ব্ৰহ্মাই এই কথাও ঘোষণা কৰিছে—যিসকল সৎ আৰু সংযমী লোক সত্যকৈ ধৰ্ম কামনা কৰে, তেওঁলোকে জীৱনভৰ নিষ্ঠাৰে অধ্যাত্ম-সাধনাতেই নিবিষ্ট থাকিব লাগে।
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Those who genuinely seek dharma should commit to steady, lifelong adhyātma—inner spiritual discipline and self-knowledge—because ethical life is sustained by inner transformation, not only external rites.
Maheśvara addresses Devī and cites Brahmā as an authoritative source, adding a further instruction: virtuous people intent on dharma should continually cultivate adhyātma.