Shloka 26
अज्ञान–लोभयोः परस्परहेतुत्वम्
Mutual Causality of Ignorance and Greed
ये दुर्गन्धीनि सेवते तथागन्धा भवन्ति ते । तपश्चर्यापर: सद्यः पापाद् विपरिमुच्यते,सुखकी अभिलाषा रखनेवाले पुरुषको कल्याणकारी कर्मोंका अनुष्ठान करना चाहिये। जो सुगन्धित पदार्थोंका सेवन करते हैं, उनके शरीरसे सुगन्ध निकलती है और जो सदा दुर्गन्धका सेवन करते हैं, वे अपने शरीरसे दुर्गन्न्ध ही फैलाते हैं। जो मनुष्य तपस्यामें तत्पर होता है, वह तत्काल सारे पापोंसे मुक्ता हो जाता है
ye durgandhīni sevate tathāgandhā bhavanti te | tapaścaryāparaḥ sadyaḥ pāpād viparimucyate ||
Śaunaka said: Those who partake of foul-smelling things come to bear that very odor; they become like what they associate with. Likewise, one devoted to austerity and disciplined practice is at once released from sin. The teaching points to moral causality: habits and chosen company shape one’s character and condition, while tapas (self-restraint and spiritual discipline) purifies and frees.
शौनक उवाच