Shloka 86
Teaching of Karma-yoga
Student Conduct, Vedic Study, and Gāyatrī Supremacy
पाठमात्रावसानस्तु पंके गौरिव सीदति । योऽधीत्य विधिवद्वेदं वेदार्थं न विचारयेत्
pāṭhamātrāvasānastu paṃke gauriva sīdati | yo'dhītya vidhivadvedaṃ vedārthaṃ na vicārayet
Namun, siapa yang berhenti pada bacaan semata akan tenggelam dalam lumpur, bagaikan sapi yang terperosok—dialah yang, meski telah mempelajari Weda menurut tata cara, tidak merenungkan makna Weda.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svargakhaṇḍa 53; verse presented as a general didactic statement)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pāṭhamātrāvasānaḥ = pāṭha-mātra-avasānaḥ; gauriva = gauḥ iva; yo'dhītya = yaḥ adhītya; vidhivadvedaṃ = vidhivat vedam.
FAQs
It teaches that recitation alone is insufficient; one must reflect on and understand the Veda’s meaning to gain real benefit.
It illustrates how a person can become stuck and unprogressive—burdened by ritual or repetition—when study lacks inquiry into meaning.
Veda-artha-vicāra—thoughtful reflection, interpretation, and inquiry into the Veda’s intended meaning.