Shloka 11
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 ||
En connaissant cela, l’homme est purifié ; quel autre signe pourrait-il y avoir d’une compréhension véritablement éveillée ? En réalisant cette vérité même, les sages sont comblés dans leur dessein et délivrés : ils ont accompli ce qui devait l’être.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.