Shloka 17
Sanatsujāta on Vedic Learning, Truth (Satya), and the Discipline of Dama–Tyāga–Apramāda
धर्मादयो द्वादश यस्य रूप- मन्यानि चाड्रानि तथा बलं च । आचार्ययोगे फलतीति चाहु- ब्रह्मार्थयोगेन च ब्रह्म॒चर्यम्
dharmādayo dvādaśa yasya rūpam anyāni cādrāṇi tathā balaṃ ca | ācāryayoge phalatīti cāhur brahmārthayogena ca brahmacaryam ||
Sanatsujāta said: “Dharma and the rest—twelve in all—constitute His very form; and other mighty masses, like mountains, as well as strength, are also His. They declare that through disciplined union with the true Teacher this bears fruit; and that through yoga directed to Brahman, brahmacarya (the vow of chastity and self-restraint) is fulfilled and perfected.”
सनत्सुजात उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links ethical principles (beginning with dharma) and spiritual power to the divine reality, and teaches that spiritual practice becomes fruitful through proper guidance (ācārya-yoga) and through yoga aimed at Brahman, by which brahmacarya—deep self-restraint oriented to realization—is perfected.
In the Sanatsujātīya section of Udyoga Parva, Sanatsujāta instructs Dhṛtarāṣṭra on higher dharma and liberation-oriented discipline. Here he emphasizes that virtues and strength belong to the supreme principle and that disciplined practice under a true teacher, aimed at Brahman, yields the fruit of perfected brahmacarya and spiritual attainment.