Shloka 16
Brahmā’s Instruction on Brahmacarya, Vānaprastha, and the Aliṅga Path
Ethics of Non-attachment
शुचिदेह: सदा दक्षो वननित्य: समाहित: । एवं युक्तो जयेत् स्वर्ग वानप्रस्थो जितेन्द्रिय:,शरीरको सदा पवित्र रखे। धर्म-पालनमें कुशलता प्राप्त करे। सदा वनमें रहकर चित्तको एकाग्र किये रहे। इस प्रकार उत्तम धर्मोको पालन करनेवाला जितेन्द्रिय वानप्रस्थी स्वर्गपर विजय पाता है
śucidehaḥ sadā dakṣo vananityaḥ samāhitaḥ | evaṃ yukto jayetsvargaṃ vānaprastho jitendriyaḥ ||
Vāyu said: “Let the forest-dweller keep his body pure, remain ever capable and diligent in the duties of dharma, live continually in the forest, and stay collected in mind. Thus disciplined and self-controlled, the vānaprastha—having conquered his senses—wins the heavenly world.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a vānaprastha should maintain purity, competence in dharmic observances, steady forest-dwelling, and mental concentration; through such disciplined sense-control, he attains (wins) svarga.
Vāyudeva is instructing about the conduct and fruits of the vānaprastha āśrama, outlining the required qualities and stating the resulting attainment of heaven.