Shloka 9
Adhyāya 26 — Ekākṣara-Brahman (“Om”) and the Hṛdayastha Guru
Inner Teacher
तेषां प्रद्रवमाणानामुपदेशार्थमात्मन: । सर्पाणां दंशने भाव: प्रवृत्त: पूर्वमेव तु,फिर उन्होंने उस उपदेशके अर्थयर जब विचार किया, तब सबसे पहले सर्पोके मनमें दूसरोंके डँसनेका भाव पैदा हुआ, असुरोंमें स्वाभाविक दम्भका आविर्भाव हुआ तथा देवताओंने दानको और महर्षियोंने दमको ही अपनानेका निश्चय किया
teṣāṃ pradravamāṇānām upadeśārtham ātmanaḥ | sarpāṇāṃ daṃśane bhāvaḥ pravṛttaḥ pūrvam eva tu ||
As they rushed about in agitation, reflecting on the intent of that instruction for their own good, the serpents—first of all—became inclined to bite. Thus, each class revealed its characteristic impulse when confronted with the same counsel, showing how inner disposition shapes ethical response.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The same instruction can yield different outcomes because beings act according to their inherent disposition (bhāva/svabhāva). Ethical response is shaped not only by the teaching but by the listener’s inner nature.
A Brahmin narrator describes how, amid agitation and reflection on a counsel meant for their benefit, the serpents first developed the impulse to bite—illustrating how their characteristic tendency manifests immediately when they interpret the instruction.