Shloka 10

Devanagari script

प्रकाशं सर्वभूतेषु लाघवं श्रद्दधधानता । सात्त्विकं रूपमेवं तु लाघवं साधुसम्मितम्‌,सब भूतोंमें प्रकाश, लघुता (गर्वहीनता) और श्रद्धा--यह सत्तवगुणका रूप है। गर्वहीनताकी श्रेष्ठ पुरुषोंने प्रशंसा की है

Transliteration

prakāśaṁ sarvabhūteṣu lāghavaṁ śraddadhānatā | sāttvikaṁ rūpam evaṁ tu lāghavaṁ sādhusammitam ||

Translation

Vāyu said: “Illumination among all beings, humility (lightness of ego), and steadfast faith—these constitute the form of sattva. Such humility is affirmed by the virtuous as a true mark of excellence.”

Word by Word

प्रकाशम्illumination, clarity

सर्वभूतेषुin all beings

लाघवम्lightness; humility (absence of pride)

श्रद्दधधानताfaith; the state of having trust

सात्त्विकम्sattvic, pertaining to sattva

रूपम्form, nature

एवम्thus, in this way

तुbut; indeed

लाघवम्humility; lightness

साधुसम्मितम्approved/praised by the good (saints)

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

व

वायुदेव (Vāyudeva)

स

सर्वभूत (all beings)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse defines sattva through three ethical-spiritual markers: (1) prakāśa—clarity and beneficent illumination that extends toward all beings, (2) lāghava—humility or freedom from pride, and (3) śraddhā—steady faith. It especially elevates humility as a virtue praised by the wise.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyudeva is speaking and instructing the listener by characterizing the nature of sattva-guṇa. The statement functions as moral teaching within the Ashvamedhika Parva’s broader didactic setting, emphasizing inner qualities rather than external power.