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Shloka 713

योग–सांख्यसमन्वयः, रथोपमा, व्यक्त–अव्यक्तविवेकः

Yoga–Sāṃkhya Synthesis, Chariot Allegory, and the Vyakta–Avyakta Distinction

अदृश्यन्तार्यवर्णेषु शूद्राक्षापि तपोधना: । दानवोंके यहाँ जो व्यापारी हैं, वे सदा दूसरोंका धन ठग लेनेका ही विचार रखते हैं तथा ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय और वैश्योंमें शूद्र भी मिलकर तपोधन बन बैठे हैं

śakra uvāca | adṛśyantāryavarṇeṣu śūdrākṣā api tapodhanāḥ |

शक्र म्हणाले—आर्यवर्णांतही शूद्र-लक्षण असलेले काही जण तपोधन, म्हणजे तपस्येने समृद्ध, दिसून येतात. म्हणून बाह्य जातिचिन्हावरून अंतःस्थ गुण ठरत नाही; जन्म वा रूप नव्हे, तर संयम आणि आचरण यांवरूनच खरे मूल्य प्रकट होते.

अदृश्यन्तwere seen / appeared
अदृश्यन्त:
TypeVerb
Rootदृश्
FormImperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada
आर्यवर्णेषुamong the Arya varṇas (higher classes)
आर्यवर्णेषु:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootआर्यवर्ण
FormMasculine, Locative, Plural
शूद्राःŚūdras
शूद्राः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootशूद्र
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
अपिalso / even
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
तपोधनाःthose whose wealth is austerity; ascetics
तपोधनाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootतपोधन
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural

शक्र उवाच

Ś
Śakra (Indra)
Ā
Ārya-varṇas (Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya implied)
Ś
Śūdra

Educational Q&A

The verse stresses that spiritual excellence (tapas and disciplined conduct) can be found irrespective of social designation; ethical and ascetic merit is not guaranteed by ‘noble’ birth and can arise even where society least expects it.

Indra (Śakra) is making an observation about society and dharma: within the recognized varṇas, people identified as Śūdras are also seen as tapodhanas, highlighting the mismatch between external status and inner virtue.