Shloka 25
Mohinī-prashna
The Question about Mohinī
संस्रातोऽपि सुदांतोऽपि न गतिं प्राप्नुयादिति । पितरं को न वंदेत मातरं को न पूजयेत् ॥ २५ ॥
saṃsrāto'pi sudāṃto'pi na gatiṃ prāpnuyāditi | pitaraṃ ko na vaṃdeta mātaraṃ ko na pūjayet || 25 ||
Even if one is well-bathed and well-disciplined, one would not attain the true goal; so who would not bow to one’s father, and who would not honor one’s mother?
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
The verse teaches that external purity (bathing) and even personal discipline are insufficient if one neglects foundational dharma—reverence and service to one’s parents—without which higher spiritual attainment (gati) is obstructed.
It implies that bhakti is not merely ritual or austerity; it must be grounded in humility and gratitude expressed through honoring father and mother, which purifies the heart and supports genuine devotion.
While no single Vedanga is explicitly taught, the verse emphasizes sadachara (right conduct) as the practical application of dharma that underlies Vedic ritual life—purity rules and discipline must be joined with ethical duty toward parents.