Shloka 55
देवतापितृप्रश्नः — Nārada at Badarīāśrama: the ultimate referent of daiva and pitṛ worship
इहाग्निसूर्यवायव: शरीरमश्रितास्त्रय: | त एव तस्य साक्षिणो भवन्न्ति धर्मदर्शिन:,इस लोकमें अग्नि, वायु और सूर्य--ये तीन देवता जीवके शरीरका आश्रय करके रहते हैं। वे ही उसके धर्माचरणको देखनेवाले हैं और वे ही परलोकमें उसके साक्षी होते हैं
ihāgnisūryavāyavaḥ śarīram āśritās trayaḥ | ta eva tasya sākṣiṇo bhavanti dharmadarśinaḥ ||
Here in this world, three deities—Fire (Agni), the Sun (Sūrya), and the Wind (Vāyu)—abide by taking refuge in a living being’s body. They behold one’s conduct in dharma, and they become that person’s witnesses in the world beyond.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
No action is truly hidden: the fundamental cosmic powers present within embodied life—fire, sun, and wind—observe one’s dharmic or adharmic conduct and stand as witnesses, implying moral accountability beyond social surveillance.
Vyāsa states a doctrinal point within Śānti Parva’s ethical instruction: he explains that certain deities dwell in the body and function as observers and post-mortem witnesses of a person’s behavior, reinforcing the seriousness of righteous conduct.