Shloka 16
Adhyāya 26 — Ekākṣara-Brahman (“Om”) and the Hṛdayastha Guru
Inner Teacher
अपेतव्रतकर्मा तु केवल ब्रह्मणि स्थित: । ब्रह्मभूतश्चरल्लॉंके ब्रह्मबचारी भवत्ययम्,जो व्रत और कर्मोंका त्याग करके केवल ब्रह्ममें स्थित है, वह ब्रह्मस्वरूप होकर संसारमें विचरता रहता है, वही मुख्य ब्रह्मचारी है
apetavratakarmā tu kevalaṁ brahmaṇi sthitaḥ | brahmabhūtaś caralloke brahmacārī bhavaty ayam ||
The brāhmaṇa said: “He who has set aside external vows and ritual actions and abides solely in Brahman—becoming one with Brahman while moving about in the world—he alone is truly the foremost brahmacārin. The essence of celibate discipline is not mere observance, but steady establishment in the highest reality.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse redefines brahmacarya as inner realization: the highest ‘brahmacārin’ is one who, having gone beyond dependence on external vows and ritual performances, remains established in Brahman and lives in the world from that realized state.
A brāhmaṇa speaker is instructing the listener by giving a criterion for true spiritual discipline: not mere outward observance, but abiding in Brahman while continuing to move and act within worldly life.