Shloka 46
Prāyaścitta-vidhāna: Tapas, Dāna, Vrata, and Proportional Expiation (प्रायश्चित्तविधानम्)
यथा दारुमयो हस्ती यथा चर्ममयो मृगः । ब्राह्मणश्वानधीयानस्त्रयस्ते नाम बिभ्रति
yathā dārumayo hastī yathā carmamayo mṛgaḥ | brāhmaṇaś cānadhīyānas trayas te nāma bibhrati ||
De même qu’un éléphant de bois et qu’un cerf de cuir ne sont que des simulacres, de même est le brāhmaṇa privé de l’étude du Veda et du śāstra. Tous trois ne portent que le nom, sans accomplir la réalité que ce nom signifie.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
A title or social identity has value only when supported by the corresponding discipline and conduct. Without adhyayana (Vedic/śāstric study and the life of learning it implies), the label 'brāhmaṇa' becomes a mere name—like lifeless replicas that resemble an animal but lack its living reality.
Vyāsa delivers a didactic comparison in the Śānti Parva, using vivid examples (a wooden elephant and a leather deer) to criticize hollow appearances and to stress that true status in dharma is grounded in learning and practice, not in name alone.