Shloka 17
कर्म–ज्ञान–दैव–स्वभावविचारः
Inquiry into Karma, Knowledge, Fate, and Nature
असक्त: सर्वभूतेषु सक्तात्मेव च लक्ष्यते । अदीर्घसंशयो वाग्मी तस्मात् सर्वत्र पूजित:
asaktaḥ sarvabhūteṣu saktātmeva ca lakṣyate | adīrghasaṁśayo vāgmī tasmāt sarvatra pūjitaḥ ||
He remains unattached to all beings, yet appears as though he were deeply engaged. No long-standing doubt lingers in his mind, and he is eloquent in speech; therefore he is honored everywhere.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True excellence is inner non-attachment: one can move among all beings and perform duties effectively, even seeming engaged, while remaining free from clinging. Clarity (absence of lingering doubt) and eloquence are presented as outward signs of this inner steadiness, leading naturally to respect.
Vāyudeva is describing a person of exemplary character, listing recognizable traits—unattached to beings, yet appearing engaged; free from prolonged doubt; eloquent—explaining why such a person is honored everywhere.