Shloka 17
Cāturhotra as Inner Sacrifice (Yoga-Yajña) and Nārāyaṇa Recitation
तत्र सामानि गायन्ति तत्र चाहुर्निदर्शनम् । देवं नारायणं भीरु सर्वात्मानं निबोध तम्
tatra sāmāni gāyanti tatra cāhur nidarśanam | devaṃ nārāyaṇaṃ bhīru sarvātmānaṃ nibodha tam ||
«Là, ils chantent les hymnes Sāman, et là encore ils produisent une preuve exemplaire. Ô toi qui trembles, comprends le divin Nārāyaṇa—le Soi de tous les êtres.» L’orateur presse l’auditeur de dépasser le simple rite ou la citation savante pour atteindre la connaissance directe : l’accomplissement suprême est de connaître le Seigneur qui pénètre tout, non de seulement exécuter ou commenter le chant sacré.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that beyond ritual performance and learned quotation, one should awaken to the direct knowledge of Nārāyaṇa as the all-pervading Self (sarvātmā). True fulfillment lies in realizing the divine presence within and as all beings.
A brāhmaṇa speaker points to a setting where Sāman hymns are being sung and where authoritative examples are cited, then turns to exhort the listener—addressed as “bhīru” (timid one)—to understand and realize Nārāyaṇa, the universal Self.