Shloka 35
नारद–असित (देवल) संवादः — भूतप्रभवाप्यय, इन्द्रिय-गुण-विवेक, क्षेत्रज्ञ-तत्त्व
ओमिति ब्रह्मणो योनिर्नम: स्वाहा स्वधा वषट् | यस्यैतानि प्रयुज्यन्ते यथाशक्ति कृतान्यपि
om iti brahmaṇo yonir namaḥ svāhā svadhā vaṣaṭ | yasyaitāni prayujyante yathāśakti kṛtāny api |
“‘Om’ is the womb (source) of Brahman. ‘Namaḥ’, ‘Svāhā’, ‘Svadhā’, and ‘Vaṣaṭ’—when these sacred utterances are employed in a person’s sacrifice, even if performed only to the best of one’s ability, that sacrifice becomes complete in all its limbs. Thus, sincerity and right invocation, not mere display of capacity, are what bring ritual action into harmony with the highest principle.”
कपिल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Kapila teaches that sacred utterances—especially Oṃ and the standard Vedic ritual formulas (namaḥ, svāhā, svadhā, vaṣaṭ)—give a sacrifice its proper spiritual form. Even when a rite is performed only within one’s means (yathāśakti), correct invocation and reverent intention make it ‘complete’ in its essential limbs.
In Śānti Parva’s instructional discourse, Kapila is explaining principles of dharma and spiritual practice. Here he highlights how yajña is not merely external performance but is sanctified and fulfilled through the proper use of foundational mantric expressions, linking ritual action to Brahman as the ultimate source.