Shloka 36
जनक–सुलभा संवादः
Janaka–Sulabhā Dialogue on Mokṣa and Non-attachment
श्रद्धालु, गुणवान्, परनिन्दासे सदा दूर रहनेवाले, विशुद्ध योगी, विद्वान, सदा शास्त्रोक्त कर्म करनेवाले, क्षमाशील, सबके हितैषी, एकान्तवासी, शास्त्रविधिका आदर करनेवाले, विवादहीन, बहुज्ञ, विज्ञ किसीका अहित न करनेवाले तथा इन्द्रियसंयम एवं मनोनिग्रहमें समर्थ पुरुषको ही इस ज्ञानका उपदेश देना चाहिये ।। एतैर्गुणैहीनतमे न देय- मेतत् परं ब्रह्म विशुद्धमाहु: । न श्रेयसा योक्ष्यति तादुशे कृतं धर्मप्रवक्तारमपात्रदानात्,जो इन सदगुणोंसे अत्यन्त हीन हो, उसे इसका उपदेश नहीं देना चाहिये। यह ज्ञान विशुद्ध परब्रह्मस्वरूप बताया गया है। वैसे गुणहीन पुरुषको दिया हुआ यह ज्ञान उसके लिये कल्याणकारी नहीं होगा तथा कुपात्रको उपदेश देनेसे वह वक्ताका भी कल्याण नहीं करेगा
Vasiṣṭha uvāca: śraddhāluḥ guṇavān paranindāyāḥ sadā dūraḥ viśuddha-yogī vidvān sadā śāstroktakarma-kārī kṣamāśīlaḥ sarva-hitaiṣī ekāntavāsī śāstra-vidhi-ādara-kārī vivādahīnaḥ bahujñaḥ vijñaḥ kasyacid ahitaṃ na karoti yaḥ tathā indriya-saṃyama-mano-nigrahe samarthaḥ puruṣaḥ tasmai eva asya jñānasya upadeśaḥ kartavyaḥ. etair guṇair hīnatame na deyam etat paraṃ brahma viśuddham āhuḥ; na śreyasā yokṣyati tādṛśe kṛtaṃ dharma-pravaktāram apātra-dānāt.
Vasiṣṭha said: This teaching should be imparted only to a person who is faithful, virtuous, always distant from disparaging others, a purified yogin, learned, constantly engaged in scripturally enjoined duties, patient, devoted to the welfare of all, inclined to solitude, respectful of scriptural injunctions, free from contentiousness, broadly knowledgeable and discerning, one who harms no one, and who is capable of restraining the senses and mastering the mind. To one who is utterly devoid of these qualities, it should not be given. This knowledge is declared to be the pure Supreme Brahman. Given to an unqualified person, it will not lead to that person’s true good; and by giving instruction to an unfit recipient, the teacher too does not attain welfare.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Brahman-knowledge (brahma-vidyā) is to be taught only to a qualified student—one who is faithful, virtuous, non-slanderous, disciplined, non-contentious, harmless, and capable of sense-restraint and mind-control. Teaching it to an unfit person neither benefits the recipient nor the teacher.
Vasiṣṭha is laying down ethical and pedagogical criteria for transmitting a highest teaching: the instructor must discern the student’s character and discipline, because misdirected instruction (like giving to an unworthy recipient) undermines the intended spiritual welfare.