Shloka 20
Adhyāya 136: Yavakrī–Bharadvāja Saṃvāda and the Bāladhī–Dhanuṣākṣa Gāthā
Arrogance, Boons, and Nimitta
स्वाध्यायार्थ समारम्भो ममायं पाकशासन | तपसा ज्ञातुमिच्छामि सर्वज्ञानानि कौशिक,पाकशासन! मेरा यह आयोजन स्वाध्यायके लिये ही है। कौशिक! मैं तपस्याद्वारा सब बातोंका ज्ञान प्राप्त करना चाहता हूँ
svādhyāyārtha-samārambho mamāyaṁ pākaśāsana | tapasā jñātum icchāmi sarva-jñānāni kauśika ||
Yavakrīta said: “O Pākaśāsana (Indra), this undertaking of mine is meant solely for sacred study. O Kauśika, I wish—through austerity—to gain knowledge of all things.”
यवक्रीत उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts two paths to knowledge—svādhyāya (disciplined study) and tapas (austerity)—and highlights the ethical tension when the desire for “all knowledge” risks becoming an impatient or pride-driven shortcut rather than a humble, gradual learning.
Yavakrīta declares that his current effort is for svādhyāya and states his intention to obtain complete knowledge through tapas, addressing Pākaśāsana (Indra) and also addressing someone called Kauśika, framing his ambition within an ascetic quest.