Shloka 16
Adhyāya 26 — Ekākṣara-Brahman (“Om”) and the Hṛdayastha Guru
Inner Teacher
अपेतव्रतकर्मा तु केवल ब्रह्मणि स्थित: । ब्रह्मभूतश्चरल्लॉंके ब्रह्मबचारी भवत्ययम्
apetavratakarmā tu kevalaṁ brahmaṇi sthitaḥ | brahmabhūtaś caralloke brahmacārī bhavaty ayam ||
Sang brāhmaṇa berkata: “Ia yang menanggalkan laku tapa dan tindakan ritual lahiriah, lalu berdiam semata-mata dalam Brahman—menjadi satu dengan Brahman meski bergerak di dunia—dialah sesungguhnya brahmacārin yang utama.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse redefines brahmacarya as inner realization: the highest ‘brahmacārin’ is one who, having gone beyond dependence on external vows and ritual performances, remains established in Brahman and lives in the world from that realized state.
A brāhmaṇa speaker is instructing the listener by giving a criterion for true spiritual discipline: not mere outward observance, but abiding in Brahman while continuing to move and act within worldly life.