Shloka 30
तृष्णाक्षय-उपदेशः
Instruction on the Cessation of Craving
अनुत्तरीयवसनमनुपस्तीर्णशायिनम् । बाहूपधान शाम्यन्तं त॑ देवा ब्राह्मणं विदु:
anuttarīyavasanam anupastīrṇaśāyinam | bāhūpadhānaṃ śāmyantaṃ taṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ ||
Kapila dit : Les dieux reconnaissent pour véritable brāhmaṇa celui qui ne possède pas de vêtement supérieur, qui dort sans couche, qui prend ses propres bras pour oreiller, et qui demeure constamment apaisé et maître de lui. La retenue intérieure et la simplicité y valent plus que les marques extérieures.
कपिल उवाच
Educational Q&A
True brahminhood is defined by inner qualities—calmness, restraint, and contentment with extreme simplicity—rather than by external status or ritual display. The verse presents renunciation and peace as the decisive markers of spiritual authenticity.
In Kapila’s instruction within the Śānti Parva, he describes the ideal ascetic-brāhmaṇa. By listing concrete signs of austerity (no upper garment, no bedding, arms as pillow) and the inner state of pacification, he frames a standard by which the gods themselves ‘recognize’ the truly virtuous person.