Shloka 53

Devanagari script

याथातथ्यमविज्ञाय शास्त्राणां शास्त्रदस्यव: । ब्रह्मस्तेना निरारम्भा दम्भभोहवशानुगा:,वे शास्त्रोंके यथार्थ तात्पर्यको न जाननेके कारण शास्त्रदस्यु (शास्त्रोंके अर्थपर डाका डालनेवाले लुटेरे) कहे जाते हैं। सर्वव्यापी ब्रह्मका भी अपलाप करनेके कारण ब्रह्मचोरकी पदवीसे विभूषित होते हैं। शम-दम आदि साधनोंका कभी अनुष्ठान नहीं करते हैं तथा दम्भ और मोहके वशमें पड़े रहते हैं

Transliteration

yāthātathyam avijñāya śāstrāṇāṃ śāstradasyavaḥ | brahmastenā nirārambhā dambhamohavaśānugāḥ ||

Translation

カピラは言った。聖典の真の趣旨を悟らぬ者は、その意味を奪い取るゆえに「経典の盗賊」と呼ばれる。さらに、遍在するブラフマンを否定し、あるいは取り違えて我が物とするがゆえに「ブラフマンの盗人」とも烙印を押される。彼らは寂静や自制といった修行を決して行わず、偽りと迷妄の支配のもとに生きる。

Word by Word

याथातथ्यम्the real truth; as-it-is meaning

अविज्ञायnot knowing; without understanding

शास्त्राणाम्of the scriptures/treatises

शास्त्रदस्यवःscripture-robbers; plunderers of scriptural meaning

ब्रह्मस्तेनाःthieves of Brahman; deniers/stealers of Brahman

निरारम्भाःinactive; without undertaking (discipline)

दम्भमोहवशानुगाःfollowing the sway of hypocrisy and delusion

Speaker

कपिल उवाच

Characters & Entities

Kapila

śāstra (scripture)

Brahman

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Kapila condemns those who misuse scripture: ignorance of its true intent leads to distortion (‘robbery’ of meaning), and denial or misappropriation of Brahman amounts to a deeper spiritual theft. Genuine dharma requires inner disciplines (like śama and dama), not mere display; hypocrisy and delusion obstruct liberation.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instructional discourse, Kapila is teaching about right knowledge and authentic practice. He contrasts true understanding and disciplined living with pretended religiosity—criticizing teachers or practitioners who cite scripture while lacking realization and self-control.