Shloka 9
Sāttvika-vṛtta-kathana (Brahmā on the Conduct of Sattva) — Chapter 38
मुधा दानं मुधा यज्ञो मुधा5धीतं मुधा व्रतम् । मुधा प्रतिग्रहश्वैव मुधा धर्मो मुधा तप:,सकाम दान, यज्ञ, अध्ययन, व्रत, परिग्रह, धर्म और तप--ये सब व्यर्थ हैं--ऐसा समझकर जो उपर्युक्त बर्तावका पालन करते हुए इस जगत्में सत्यका आश्रय लेते हैं और वेदकी उत्पत्तिके स्थानभूत परब्रह्म परमात्मामें निष्ठा रखते हैं, वे ब्राह्मण ही धीर और साधुदर्शी माने गये हैं
vāyudeva uvāca | mudhā dānaṁ mudhā yajño mudhādhītaṁ mudhā vratam | mudhā pratigrahaś caiva mudhā dharmo mudhā tapaḥ ||
Vāyudeva said: “Charity is futile, sacrifice is futile, study is futile, and vows are futile; receiving gifts is futile as well; even ‘dharma’ and austerity are futile—when they are pursued with selfish desire. Knowing this, those who, while maintaining the right conduct described above, take refuge in truth in this world and remain steadfast in the Supreme Brahman—the source from which the Veda arises—are truly regarded as steadfast and clear-sighted brāhmaṇas.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
External religious acts—charity, sacrifice, study, vows, even austerity and ‘dharma’—become fruitless when motivated by selfish desire. True worth lies in truthful living and steadfast orientation to the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate ground of the Veda.
Vāyudeva is instructing the listener by re-evaluating common religious practices. He emphasizes inner intention and metaphysical commitment over mere performance, defining the truly wise brāhmaṇa as one grounded in truth and the Supreme.