Shloka 19
महाभूत–इन्द्रिय–मनस्–बुद्धि–अन्तरात्मा विवेकः | Discrimination of Elements, Senses, Mind, Intellect, and Inner Self
तात प्रत्यक्षधर्माणस्तथा यायावरा गणा: । ऋषीणामुग्रतपसां धर्मनैपुणदर्शिनाम्
tāta pratyakṣa-dharmāṇas tathā yāyāvarā gaṇāḥ | ṛṣīṇām ugra-tapasāṃ dharma-naipuṇa-darśinām ||
ব্যাস বললেন—“বৎস! যাযাবর তপস্বীদের দলও ছিল—যাদের আচরণেই ধর্ম প্রত্যক্ষ; তারা উগ্র তপস্যাসম্পন্ন ঋষি, ধর্মবিচারে সূক্ষ্ম নৈপুণ্যে প্রসিদ্ধ।”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma is not merely theoretical; it becomes ‘pratyakṣa’—directly visible—through disciplined conduct, austerity, and mature ethical discernment as exemplified by accomplished sages.
Vyāsa is describing the presence/character of ascetic groups and powerful sages—wandering renunciants and severe practitioners—highlighting their authority and insight in judging and embodying dharma within the Shānti Parva’s instructional setting.