Shloka 42
Brahma-vidyā: Satya–Tapas and the Enumeration of Tattvas
Arjuna–Vāsudeva framed dialogue
तस्योपायं प्रवक्ष्यामि पुरस्तात् तं निबोधत । फलमूलानिलभुजां मुनीनां वसतां वने
tasyopāyaṁ pravakṣyāmi purastāt taṁ nibodhata | phalamūlānilabhujāṁ munīnāṁ vasatāṁ vane ||
ヴァーユは言った。「今、かの（自己の知）に至る手段を前もって説こう。心して理解せよ。森に住む聖仙たちは、苦行者の作法に従い、果実と根を糧とし、さらには風をも食とする——これこそが林住者（ヴァーナプラスタ）のダルマを支える修行である。」
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vāyu teaches that a practical ‘means’ toward self-knowledge is disciplined living aligned with āśrama-dharma—especially the forest-dweller’s path marked by simplicity, restraint, and ascetic subsistence (fruits, roots, and even air), emphasizing detachment and tapas as supports for inner realization.
Vāyudeva speaks to his listeners and announces that he will explain the method for attaining the intended goal (implied: self-knowledge). He then points to the forest-sage model of life—dwelling in the woods and living on minimal sustenance—as an exemplar of the vānaprastha/ascetic discipline.