Shloka 34
Adhyāya 240: Indriya–Manas–Buddhi–Ātman — The Inner Hierarchy and Restraint (इन्द्रिय-मनस्-बुद्धि-आत्म-क्रमः)
अपि वर्णावकृष्टस्तु नारी वा धर्मकाड्क्षिणी । तावप्येतेन मार्गेण गच्छेतां परमां गतिम्
api varṇāvakṛṣṭas tu nārī vā dharmakāṅkṣiṇī | tāv apy etena mārgeṇa gacchetāṃ paramāṃ gatim | sattvasaṃsevanād dhīro nidrām ucchettum arhati |
Vyāsa dit : Même un homme d’une varṇa tenue socialement pour « inférieure », ou même une femme, s’il ou elle aspire à pratiquer le dharma, peut—en suivant ce même chemin du yoga—atteindre le but suprême. L’être résolu, en cultivant sattva (clarté et bonté), devient apte à trancher le sommeil, c’est-à-dire à vaincre la torpeur et l’inattention.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Spiritual attainment is not barred by social status or gender: anyone who genuinely desires dharma can reach the highest goal by the yogic path. Practically, the verse highlights cultivating sattva (clarity and balance) as a means to overcome nidrā—sleep/torpor that obstructs disciplined practice.
In the didactic setting of Śānti Parva, Vyāsa continues instruction on inner discipline and the yogic means to liberation, emphasizing that this path is effective and accessible even to those considered socially disadvantaged, provided they are intent on dharma.