Shloka 43
Brahma-vidyā: Satya–Tapas and the Enumeration of Tattvas
Arjuna–Vāsudeva framed dialogue
वानप्रस्थं द्विजातीनां त्रयाणामुपदिश्यते । सर्वेषामेव वर्णानां गार्हस्थ्यं तद् विधीयते,अतः पहले उस आत्मज्ञानका उपाय बतलाता हूँ, सब लोग सुनिये। ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय और वैश्य--इन तीन द्विजातियोंके लिये वानप्रस्थ आश्रमका विधान है। वनमें रहकर मुनिवृत्तिका सेवन करते हुए फल-मूल और वायुके आहारपर जीवन-निर्वाह करनेसे वानप्रस्थ-धर्मका पालन होता है। गृहस्थ-आश्रमका विधान सभी वर्णोके लिये है
vānaprasthaṃ dvijātīnāṃ trayāṇām upadiśyate | sarveṣām eva varṇānāṃ gārhasthyaṃ tad vidhīyate ||
Vāyu said: “The stage of life called vānaprastha is enjoined for the three ‘twice-born’ orders. For all the social classes, however, the householder’s life is prescribed.” In context, the speaker is outlining a graded discipline of dharma and self-knowledge: certain austerer modes are specifically assigned to those qualified by initiation and Vedic study, while the sustaining ethical framework of society—gārhasthya—remains a universal obligation.
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.