Shloka 94
Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)
पुण्यतीर्थाभिषेकं च पवित्राणां च कीर्तनम् । सद्धिः सम्भाषणं चैव प्रशस्तं कीर्त्यते बुधै:,पुण्यतीर्थोमें स्नान, पवित्र मन्त्रोंका कीर्तन और श्रेष्ठ पुरुषोंसे वार्तालाप--इन सबको विद्वान पुरुषोंने उत्तम बताया है
puṇyatīrthābhiṣekaṃ ca pavitrāṇāṃ ca kīrtanam | saddhiḥ sambhāṣaṇaṃ caiva praśastaṃ kīrtyate budhaiḥ ||
पुण्य तीर्थांत स्नान, पवित्र मंत्रांचे कीर्तन आणि सत्पुरुषांशी आदरपूर्वक संभाषण—हे सर्व बुधांनी श्रेष्ठ म्हणून प्रशंसिले आहे.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that inner and outer purification are supported by three praised disciplines: sacred bathing (tīrtha-snāna/abhiṣeka), purifying recitation (pavitra-kīrtana), and elevating companionship through respectful dialogue with the virtuous (sādhu-sambhāṣaṇa). Together they cultivate dharma by cleansing conduct, speech, and intention.
In the Vana Parva’s tīrtha-related discourse, Yudhiṣṭhira articulates what the wise commend as best practices for a dharma-minded person—especially relevant to life in exile and pilgrimage—highlighting how holy places, sacred utterance, and the company of good people shape righteous living.