Shloka 21
Tīrtha-yātrā: Prayāga-saṅgama and Gayaśiras—Rājarṣi Gaya’s Mahāyajña
शरीरनियमं प्राहुब्राह्मिणा मानुषं व्रतम् । मनोविशुद्धां बुद्धि च दैवमाहुर्त्रतं द्विजा:,ब्राह्मणलोग शरीर-शुद्धिके नियमको “मानुषव्रत” बताते हैं और मनके द्वारा शुद्ध की हुई बुद्धिको 'दैवव्रत' कहते हैं
śarīra-niyamaṃ prāhur brāhmaṇā mānuṣaṃ vratam | mano-viśuddhāṃ buddhiṃ ca daivam āhur vrataṃ dvijāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The Brahmins declare bodily discipline to be the “human vow,” while the twice-born call a mind-purified intellect the “divine vow.” The teaching distinguishes external restraint from inner purification, placing higher ethical value on the clarity and sanctity of one’s understanding.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse ranks two kinds of observance: external bodily regulation is a “human” level of vow, while the purification of intellect through a purified mind is termed “divine,” implying that inner clarity and discernment are the higher spiritual discipline.
Vaiśampāyana reports a doctrinal distinction taught by Brahmins: they define and name two categories of vrata—one focused on bodily restraint and another focused on inner purification—within the broader Vana Parva discourse on dharma and right conduct.