Shloka 1
Brahmopadeśa on Saṃnyāsa, Tapas, and Jñāna (ब्रह्मोपदेशः—संन्यासतपोज्ञानविमर्शः)
/ भीकम (2 अमान सप्तचत्वारिशो<् ध्याय: मुक्तिके साधनोंका, देहरूपी वृक्षका तथा ज्ञान-खड्गसे उसे काटनेका वर्णन ब्रह्मोवाच संन्यासं तप इत्याहुर्वृद्धा निश्चितवादिन: । ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मयोनिस्था ज्ञान ब्रह्म परं विदु:,ब्रह्माजीनी कहा-महर्षियो! निश्चित बात कहनेवाले और वेदोंके कारणरूप परमात्मामें स्थित वृद्ध ब्राह्मण संन्यासको तप कहते हैं और ज्ञानको ही परब्रह्मका स्वरूप मानते हैं
brahmovāca — saṃnyāsaṃ tapa ity āhur vṛddhā niścitavādinaḥ | brāhmaṇā brahmayonisthā jñānaṃ brahma paraṃ viduḥ ||
Brahmā said: The aged sages, firm in their conclusions, declare renunciation itself to be true austerity. Those Brāhmaṇas who abide in the source of Brahman understand that knowledge is the Supreme Brahman.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates inner renunciation (saṃnyāsa) as the highest austerity and identifies liberating knowledge (jñāna) with the Supreme Reality (Brahman), implying that realization—not mere external practice—is the decisive means toward liberation.
Brahmā speaks as an authoritative teacher, summarizing the settled view of venerable sages and Brahman-established Brāhmaṇas: renunciation is true tapas, and knowledge is the very nature of the Supreme Brahman.