परिव्राजक-आचारः (Conduct of the Wandering Renunciant) — Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 269
चतुर्थोपनिषद् धर्म: साधारण इति स्मृति: । संसिद्धै: साध्यते नित्यं ब्राह्मणैर्नियतात्मभि:
caturthopaniṣad dharmaḥ sādhāraṇa iti smṛtiḥ | saṃsiddhaiḥ sādhyate nityaṃ brāhmaṇair niyatātmabhiḥ ||
ಕಪಿಲನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ತುರೀಯ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಸಂಬಂಧಿಯಾದ ಉಪನಿಷತ್ತಿನ ಅನುಭವಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ ಶಿಸ್ತು, ಸ್ಮೃತಿಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ (ಸರ್ವಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ) ಧರ್ಮ. ಆದರೆ ಅದು ನಿತ್ಯವೂ ಸ್ಥಿರವಾಗಿ ಸಾಧಿಸಲ್ಪಡುವುದು ಆತ್ಮಸಂಯಮಿಗಳಾದ, ತಪಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ಸಿದ್ಧರಾದ, ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನಿಷ್ಠ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರಿಂದ ಮಾತ್ರ; ಅವರೇ ಆ ಮಾರ್ಗವನ್ನು ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ಆಚರಿಸಿ ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಬಲ್ಲರು.
कपिल उवाच
Upaniṣadic realization (turiya/Brahman-oriented knowledge) is presented as a universal dharma in principle, but in practice it is consistently attainable only by those who have strong self-restraint and spiritual maturity—disciplined aspirants perfected by tapas and steadiness of mind.
In the Śānti Parva’s instructional dialogue, Kapila is explaining a hierarchy of spiritual practice: although the highest contemplative discipline is said to be ‘common’ to all, its sustained observance and fruition require exceptional inner control and accomplished ascetic-spiritual preparation.