Shloka 43
Brahma-vidyā: Satya–Tapas and the Enumeration of Tattvas
Arjuna–Vāsudeva framed dialogue
वानप्रस्थं द्विजातीनां त्रयाणामुपदिश्यते । सर्वेषामेव वर्णानां गार्हस्थ्यं तद् विधीयते
vānaprasthaṃ dvijātīnāṃ trayāṇām upadiśyate | sarveṣām eva varṇānāṃ gārhasthyaṃ tad vidhīyate ||
Vāyu berkata: “Tahap hidup vānaprastha ditetapkan bagi tiga golongan ‘dua-kali-lahir’ (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya). Namun kehidupan gārhasthya (berumah tangga) ditetapkan bagi semua varṇa.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes eligibility and universality within āśrama-dharma: vānaprastha is specifically prescribed for the three twice-born varṇas, while gārhasthya (householder duty) is prescribed for all varṇas as the common social and ethical foundation.
Vāyudeva is instructing the listener(s) on dharma-oriented life-stages, setting out who is enjoined to undertake forest-dwelling austerities and affirming that household responsibilities apply across society, as part of a broader teaching that leads toward self-knowledge and disciplined living.