Shloka 12
दानपात्रापात्र-निर्णयः / Determining Worthy Gifts, Recipients, and Permissible Food
पितामहसुतं ज्येष्ठ॑ कुमारं दीप्ततेजसम् । अध्यात्मगतितत्त्वज्ञमुपाशिक्षत य: पुरा
pitāmaha-sutaṁ jyeṣṭhaṁ kumāraṁ dīpta-tejasam | adhyātma-gati-tattva-jñam upāśikṣata yaḥ purā ||
वैशम्पायन बोले— पूर्वकाल में उन्होंने पितामह ब्रह्मा के ज्येष्ठ पुत्र, दीप्त तेजस्वी, अध्यात्म-गति के तत्त्वज्ञ सनत्कुमार से आत्मविद्या का उपदेश प्राप्त किया था।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the legitimacy and ethical authority of spiritual counsel grounded in authentic instruction: true guidance on dharma and inner liberation is strengthened when it comes through a recognized lineage of Self-knowledge, here traced to Sanatkumāra, a paradigmatic teacher of adhyātma.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a figure’s prior training: in ancient times, he studied adhyātma (knowledge of the Self) under Sanatkumāra, Brahmā’s eldest son, renowned for spiritual brilliance and insight into the soul’s path and ultimate attainment.