Shloka 96
त्रिदण्डधारणं मौनं जटाभारो5थ मुण्डनम् । वल्कलाजिनसंचवेष्ट ब्रतचर्याभिषेचनम्,त्रिदण्ड धारण करना, मौन रहना, सिरपर जटाका बोझ ढोना, मूँड़ मुँड़ाना, शरीरमें वल्कल और मृगचर्म लपेटे रहना, व्रतका आचरण करना, नहाना, अग्निहोत्र करना, वनमें रहना और शरीरको सुखा देना--ये सभी यदि भाव शुद्ध न हो तो व्यर्थ हैं
tridaṇḍa-dhāraṇaṃ maunaṃ jaṭā-bhāro ’tha muṇḍanam | valkalājina-saṃcaveṣṭaṃ vrata-caryābhiṣecanam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Bearing the triple staff, observing silence, carrying the heavy burden of matted locks—or else shaving the head; wrapping oneself in bark-garments and deer-skin; undertaking vows and ritual bathing—such outward disciplines, when the inner disposition is not purified, become fruitless. True worth lies not in the marks of renunciation but in purity of intention and conduct.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
External signs of renunciation—staff, silence, matted hair or shaving, bark and deer-skin, vows and ritual bathing—have no value if one’s inner attitude is impure. Dharma is measured by sincerity and purified intention, not by costume or display.
In the Vana Parva context, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on religious discipline and the danger of mere outward observance. He emphasizes that ascetic practices must be grounded in inner moral purification to be meaningful.