Shloka 25
Mokṣa–Saṃnyāsa–Tyāga–Guṇa-Vibhāga (Renunciation, Relinquishment, and the Three Guṇas) — Mahābhārata 6, Bhīṣma-parva
अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्त: श्र॒त्वान्ये भ्य उपासते । तेडपि चातितरन्त्येव” मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणा:,परंतु इनसे दूसरे अर्थात् जो मन्दबुद्धिवाले पुरुष हैं, वे इस प्रकार न जानते हुए दूसरोंसे अर्थात् तत्त्वके जाननेवाले पुरुषोंसे सुनकर ही तदनुसार उपासना करते हैं और वे श्रवणपरायण पुरुष भी मृत्युरूप संसार-सागरको नि:संदेह तर जाते हैं
anye tv evam ajānantaḥ śrutvānyebhya upāsate | te 'pi cātitaranty eva mṛtyuṁ śruti-parāyaṇāḥ ||
Arjuna said: Others, not understanding it in this way, worship by listening to it from those who do know the truth and then practicing accordingly. Even they—devoted to hearing and faithfully following what they have heard—surely cross beyond death, the mortal current of worldly existence.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even without direct philosophical comprehension, a person can progress spiritually by humbly listening to realized or knowledgeable teachers and practicing accordingly; sincere commitment to śravaṇa (reverent hearing) and faithful application can still lead one beyond the bondage symbolized by “death.”
In the midst of the Kurukṣetra setting of Bhīṣma Parva, Arjuna articulates a path for those who cannot grasp the teaching through their own insight: they rely on instruction received from others and engage in worship/practice based on that hearing, and such hearers too are said to transcend mortal existence.