Shloka 2
Akṣara–Kṣara Viveka: Vasiṣṭha–Karāla-Janaka Saṃvāda (अक्षर-क्षर विवेकः)
सेवा55श्रितेन मनसा वृत्तिहीनस्य शस्यते । द्विजातिहस्तान्निर्वत्ता न तु तुल्यात् परस्परात्,जो मनुष्य इन्द्रियोंकी बाह्य वृत्तिसे रहित (अन्तर्मुख) होकर ईश्वरकी शरणमें गये हुए मनके द्वारा उनकी उपासना करता है, उसकी वह उपासना श्रेष्ठ समझी जाती है। ऐसी उपासना किसी विद्दान् एवं भक्त ब्राह्मणके वरद हस्तसे ही उपलब्ध होती है। समान योग्यतावाले आपसके लोगोंसे उसकी प्राप्ति नहीं होती
parāśara uvāca | sevāśritena manasā vṛttihīnasya śasyate | dvijātihastān nirvṛttā na tu tulyāt parasparāt ||
Dijo Parāśara: Se alaba como suprema la adoración de quien se ha retraído de la actividad sensorial externa—y cuya mente se refugia en el servicio. Tal adoración se obtiene por la mano que otorga bendición de un brāhmaṇa devoto y erudito; no se alcanza simplemente entre pares de igual condición.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worship is primarily inward: when the mind is anchored in service and the senses are withdrawn from external pursuits, that devotion is considered superior. Spiritual attainment is portrayed as arising through the grace and guidance of a qualified, devoted brāhmaṇa (teacher/saint), not merely through association with one’s equals.
In Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Parāśara is teaching about the nature of effective spiritual practice. He contrasts inward, disciplined devotion with ordinary social exchange, emphasizing that higher worship is ‘obtained’ through the blessing/agency of a worthy spiritual authority rather than through mutual dealings among peers.