Shloka 30
अनुत्तरीयवसनमनुपस्तीर्णशायिनम् । बाहूपधान शाम्यन्तं त॑ देवा ब्राह्मणं विदु:,जिसके पास वस्त्रके नामपर एक लंगोटी मात्र है, ओढ़नेके लिये एक चादरतक नहीं है, जो बिना बिछौनेके ही सोता है, बाँहोंका ही तकिया लगाता है और सदा शान्तभावसे रहता है, उसीको देवता ब्राह्मण मानते हैं
anuttarīyavasanam anupastīrṇaśāyinam | bāhūpadhānaṃ śāmyantaṃ taṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ ||
Kapila said: The gods recognize as a true brāhmaṇa the one who owns no upper garment, who sleeps without any bedding, who uses his own arms as a pillow, and who remains continually pacified and self-controlled.
कपिल उवाच
Educational Q&A
True brahminhood is defined by inner qualities—calmness, restraint, and contentment with extreme simplicity—rather than by external status or ritual display. The verse presents renunciation and peace as the decisive markers of spiritual authenticity.
In Kapila’s instruction within the Śānti Parva, he describes the ideal ascetic-brāhmaṇa. By listing concrete signs of austerity (no upper garment, no bedding, arms as pillow) and the inner state of pacification, he frames a standard by which the gods themselves ‘recognize’ the truly virtuous person.