Shloka 26
Vivāha-dharma: Kanyā-pradāna, Śulka, and Pāṇigrahaṇa-niṣṭhā (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४४)
अमरोअस्मीति यद्बुद्धिं समास्थाय प्रवर्तसे । मावमंस्था न तपसा नसाध्यं नाम किंचन
amaro ’smīti yad-buddhiṁ samāsthāya pravartase | māvamamsthā na tapasā na sādhyaṁ nāma kiñcana ||
Vipula said: “If, taking refuge in the notion ‘I am immortal,’ you proceed in self-willed conduct, then I warn you: do not insult an ascetic. For through austerity there is nothing that cannot be accomplished—indeed, a true tapasvin can even strike down those who deem themselves deathless.”
विपुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Arrogance based on presumed invulnerability (‘I am immortal’) leads to adharma. One must not disrespect ascetics, because tapas is portrayed as a real moral-spiritual force capable of achieving what seems impossible and of punishing wrongdoing.
Vipula admonishes someone who is behaving recklessly under the belief of being beyond death. He cautions that insulting a tapasvin is dangerous, emphasizing that ascetic power can overcome even those who consider themselves immortal.