Shloka 14
Vidyā–Avidyā and the Twenty-Fifth Principle
Sāṃkhya–Yoga Clarification
तप: सर्वगतं तात हीनस्यापि विधीयते । जितेन्द्रियस्य दान्तस्य स्वर्गमार्गप्रवर्तकम्
tapaḥ sarvagataṃ tāta hīnasya api vidhīyate | jitendriyasya dāntasya svargamārga-pravartakam ||
तात! तप सर्वत्र व्याप्त है; हीन के लिये भी उसका विधान है। जितेन्द्रिय और दान्त पुरुष के लिये वही स्वर्गमार्ग का प्रवर्तक बनता है।
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Tapas (austerity/discipline) is a universal prescription, not limited by social status or personal shortcomings; when joined with sense-conquest and inner discipline, it becomes a means that directs one toward higher spiritual and heavenly attainment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instructional discourse, Parāśara addresses his listener as “tāta” and emphasizes the ethical-spiritual efficacy of tapas, especially for one who has mastered the senses and cultivated disciplined conduct.