अध्याय १६ — शङ्कर-उमा-वरदानम् तथा तण्डि-स्तुतिः (Śaṅkara–Umā Boon-Granting and Taṇḍi’s Hymn)
अहो मूढा: सम सुचिरमिमं कालमचेतसा । यन्न विद्य: परं देवं शाश्व॒तं यं विदुर्बुधा:
aho mūḍhāḥ sma suciram imaṁ kālam acetasaḥ | yan na vidyāḥ paraṁ devaṁ śāśvataṁ yaṁ vidur budhāḥ ||
ヴァーユは言った。「ああ、われらはいかに迷妄であったことか――これほど長きにわたり、思慮も覚醒も欠いていた。賢者たちが真に知る、永遠の至上神を、われらは認め得なかったのだ。」
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse teaches that true wisdom begins with admitting one’s delusion and turning toward recognition of the eternal Supreme God known by the wise; ethical and spiritual progress requires humility and awakened discernment.
Vāyu speaks in a reflective, repentant tone, lamenting that he (and others implied by “we”) remained heedless for a long time and failed to recognize the eternal Supreme Deity whom enlightened sages understand.