Shloka 23
Mind as Charioteer; Kṣetrajña, Tapas, and Dhyāna-Yoga
Adhyātma-Upadeśa
रथेन रथिनं पश्य क्लिश्यमानमचेतनम्
rathena rathinaṃ paśya kliśyamānam acetanam | yāvat rathasya gatiḥ panthāḥ tāvat rathena gacchati buddhimān | yatra rathasya mārgaḥ samāpyate tatra taṃ tyaktvā padbhyā yātrāṃ karoti ||
風神ヴァーユは言った。「愚かな者を見よ。戦車に運ばれていながら、険しい山に至ればなお苦しむ。賢者は道が許すところまで戦車で行き、戦車道が尽きればそれを捨てて徒歩で進む。」教えは、手段と道具を相応に用いること—その限界を越えて執着せず、役立つときには退けないことである。
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Use tools and supports only within their proper limits. A wise person employs a means (like a chariot) where it works, and when it no longer serves the goal, he lets it go and proceeds by another suitable method—showing discernment rather than stubborn attachment.
Vāyudeva illustrates his counsel through a simple travel image: a fool suffers even while being conveyed by a chariot near difficult terrain, whereas a wise traveler adapts—riding while the road permits and walking when the road ends.