Shloka 17
Utkramaṇa-sthāna and Ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇa: Yājñavalkya’s Instruction on Departure Pathways and Mortality Signs
निर्णयं चापि छिद्रात्मा न तं॑ वक्ष्यति तत्त्वतः । सोपहासात्मतामेति यस्माच्चैवात्मवानपि
nirṇayaṃ cāpi chidra-ātmā na taṃ vakṣyati tattvataḥ | sopahāsa-ātmatām eti yasmāc caivātmavān api ||
Vasiṣṭha dit : «Celui dont l’intelligence est défaillante ne peut énoncer avec certitude le sens véritable. Même s’il est plein d’ardeur ou maître de lui, s’il parle sans l’assise du savoir des śāstra, il devient la risée des hommes, car ses paroles manquent le principe réel.»
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Without śāstric grounding and clear discernment, one cannot determine or express the true purport (nirṇaya) of a text; speaking anyway leads to error and public ridicule, even if the speaker is otherwise confident.
In Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Vasiṣṭha is advising about proper understanding and interpretation: he cautions that a person with defective insight cannot explain the truth of a doctrine and will be mocked if he speaks beyond his knowledge.