Shloka 29
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
श्रेष्ठतां सर्वभूतेषु तपो<र्थ नातिवर्तते । तदग्रयं प्रार्थयानस्त्वमचिराद् विनशिष्यसि,“सम्पूर्ण भूतोंमें श्रेष्ठता ही ब्राह्मणत्व है और यही तुम्हारा अभीष्ट प्रयोजन है, परंतु यह तप उस प्रयोजनको सिद्ध नहीं कर सकता; अतः इस श्रेष्ठ पदकी अभिलाषा रखते हुए तुम शीघ्र ही नष्ट हो जाओगे
śreṣṭhatāṃ sarvabhūteṣu tapo'rthaṃ nātivartate | tadagryaṃ prārthayānas tvam acirād vinaśiṣyasi ||
Bhīṣma said: “Among all beings, true pre-eminence is what constitutes the highest status (brahminhood); that is the goal you desire. But mere austerity cannot overstep and secure that end. Therefore, while craving that foremost rank, you will soon come to ruin.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma distinguishes between outer austerity (tapas) and genuine excellence or brahminhood as an ethical-spiritual quality. He warns that seeking superiority as a status through penance alone is misguided and can lead to downfall.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction, he addresses someone who longs for the highest rank among beings. Bhīṣma cautions that the person’s chosen means—tapas aimed at attaining that superiority—will not accomplish the intended end, and predicts imminent ruin due to that misplaced aspiration.