Shloka 23
रथेन रथिनं पश्य क्लिश्यमानमचेतनम्,देखो, रथके द्वारा जानेवाला भी मूर्ख मनुष्य ऊँचे पर्वतके पास पहुँचकर कष्ट पाता रहता है, किंतु बुद्धिमान् मनुष्य जहाँतक रथ जानेका मार्ग है वहाँतक रथसे जाता है और जब रथका रास्ता समाप्त हो जाता है तब वह उसे छोड़कर पैदल यात्रा करता है
rathena rathinaṃ paśya kliśyamānam acetanam | yāvat rathasya gatiḥ panthāḥ tāvat rathena gacchati buddhimān | yatra rathasya mārgaḥ samāpyate tatra taṃ tyaktvā padbhyā yātrāṃ karoti ||
Vāyu said: “Look at the foolish man who, though carried by a chariot, still ends up suffering when he reaches the steep mountain. The wise man travels by chariot only as far as the road allows; when the chariot-road comes to an end, he leaves it behind and continues on foot.” The teaching is that one should use means and instruments appropriately—neither clinging to them beyond their proper scope nor rejecting them when they are helpful.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Use tools and supports only within their proper limits. A wise person employs a means (like a chariot) where it works, and when it no longer serves the goal, he lets it go and proceeds by another suitable method—showing discernment rather than stubborn attachment.
Vāyudeva illustrates his counsel through a simple travel image: a fool suffers even while being conveyed by a chariot near difficult terrain, whereas a wise traveler adapts—riding while the road permits and walking when the road ends.