Shloka 13

Devanagari script

विमुक्त: सर्वसड्भेभ्यो लघ्वाहारो जितेन्द्रिय: । पूर्वरात्रेडपररात्रे धारयीत मनो55त्मनि,योगी सब प्रकारकी आसक्तियोंसे मुक्त हो मिताहारी और जितेन्द्रिय बने तथा रात्रिके पहले और पिछले भागमें मनको आत्मामें एकाग्र करे

Transliteration

vimuktaḥ sarvasaṅgebhyo laghvāhāro jitendriyaḥ | pūrvarātre ’pararātre dhārayīt mano ’tmani ||

Translation

Vasiṣṭha said: Freed from every kind of attachment, the yogin should live on light, measured food and keep the senses under control. In the early and the latter watches of the night, he should steady and hold the mind fixed in the Self—thus cultivating inner discipline and detachment as the basis of spiritual clarity.

Word by Word

विमुक्तःfreed, released

सर्वसङ्गेभ्यःfrom all attachments

लघ्वाहारःlight in diet, moderate-eating

जितेन्द्रियःhaving conquered the senses, self-controlled

पूर्वरात्रेin the first part of the night

अपररात्रेin the latter part of the night

धारयीतshould hold, should fix (steadily)

मनःthe mind

आत्मनिin the Self

Speaker

वसिष्ठ उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vasiṣṭha

yogin

ātman (Self)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches a practical yogic discipline: renounce attachments, eat moderately, master the senses, and regularly concentrate the mind in the Self—especially during the quiet early and late parts of the night.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Vasiṣṭha gives direct guidance on yogic conduct and meditation, outlining the lifestyle and daily practice expected of a seeker aiming for inner steadiness and liberation.