Shloka 23
Brāhmaṇa-māhātmya: Tārkṣya’s instruction on tapas, satya, and svadharma
Chapter 182
बुद्धेरुत्तरकाला च वेदना दृश्यते बुध: । एष वै राजशार्दूल विधि: क्षेत्रज्ञभावन:,बुद्धिकी क्रियाके उत्तरकालमें भी विद्वान् पुरुषोंको एक अनुभूति दिखायी देती है। नृपश्रेष्ठ! यही क्षेत्रज्ष आत्माको प्रकाशित करनेवाली विधि है
buddher uttarākālā ca vedanā dṛśyate budhaḥ | eṣa vai rājaśārdūla vidhiḥ kṣetrajñabhāvanaḥ ||
Even after the later phase of the intellect has passed, the wise still perceive a subtle awareness. O tiger among kings, this indeed is the method by which the Knower of the Field (kṣetrajña), the inner Self, is brought to manifestation—pointing beyond mere mental activity to direct realization of the ātman.
सर्प उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that true awareness is not limited to the operations of बुद्धि (intellect). Even when intellectual activity subsides, the wise recognize a subtler, continuing अनुभूति (vedanā). This points to the kṣetrajña—the inner Self—as distinct from the mind, and recommends a discipline (vidhi) aimed at making that Self evident.
A serpent (सर्प) addresses a king respectfully as ‘rājaśārdūla’ and instructs him in a contemplative insight: beyond mental processes there is a perceivable inner awareness. The serpent frames this as a method for bringing the kṣetrajña (Self) to manifestation, shifting the dialogue from external events to inner realization.