Shloka 9
Rajo-guṇa-nirdeśa — Brahmā’s Enumeration of Rajasic Dispositions
संतापो5प्रत्ययश्चैव व्रतानि नियमाश्न ये । आशीर्युक्तानि कर्माणि पौर्तानि विविधानि च
santāpo 'pratyayaś caiva vratāni niyamāś ca ye | āśīr-yuktāni karmāṇi paurtāni vividhāni ca ||
Vāyu said: “Austerity (that burns away impurity), steadfastness without doubt, the observances and restraints—together with acts performed while invoking blessings—and the many kinds of public and civic works: all these are to be understood as meritorious disciplines that uphold dharma and benefit both the doer and the wider community.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms that dharma is supported not only by personal austerity and disciplined vows (vrata, niyama) grounded in firm conviction, but also by auspiciously intentioned actions and civic works done for the common good; such conduct generates merit and strengthens ethical life.
Vāyudeva is speaking and enumerating categories of dharmic practice—inner disciplines (austerity, doubtless resolve, vows, restraints) and outward, socially beneficial deeds (public works)—as part of a broader instruction on righteous conduct and meritorious action.