मृत्युकारणप्रश्नः / Inquiry into the Cause and Designation of Death
एतद् बुद्ध्वा भवेत् शुद्ध: किमन्यद् बुद्धलक्षणम् । विज्ञायैतद् विमुच्यन्ते कृतकृत्या मनीषिण:
etad buddhvā bhavet śuddhaḥ kim anyad buddhalakṣaṇam | vijñāyaitad vimucyante kṛtakṛtyā manīṣiṇaḥ ||
Al conocer esto, una persona queda purificada; ¿qué otra señal podría haber de una comprensión verdaderamente despierta? Al realizar esta misma verdad, los sabios quedan cumplidos en su propósito y son liberados: han hecho lo que había que hacer.
व्यास उवाच
The verse teaches that true purity and the hallmark of awakened wisdom arise from realizing the essential truth (here, the knowledge of the Self/ātman). Such realization culminates in liberation and a sense of having fulfilled life’s highest purpose.
In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, Vyāsa states a concluding-style affirmation: understanding and realizing the taught inner truth is itself the defining sign of wisdom, and it is what frees the wise from bondage.