Shloka 52
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
तदनन्तर विद्युत्प्रभने इन्द्रसे कहा--“शतक्रतो! यह सूक्ष्मतर धर्म मैं बता रहा हूँ। इसे ध्यानपूर्वक सुनिये ।। घृष्टो वटकषायेण अनुलिप्त: प्रियंगुणा । क्षीरेण षष्टिकान् भुक््त्वा सर्वपापै: प्रमुच्यते
tadanantaraṃ vidyutprabhane indraḥ se kahā— “śatakrato! ayaṃ sūkṣmataraḥ dharmaḥ mayā te kathyate; taṃ dhārayitvā śṛṇu. ghṛṣṭo vaṭakaṣāyeṇa anuliptaḥ priyaṅguṇā, kṣīreṇa ṣaṣṭikān bhuktvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate.”
Kemudian Indra, yang bersinar laksana kilat, bersabda: “Wahai Śatakratu, akan kukatakan kepadamu suatu aturan dharma yang lebih halus lagi—dengarlah dengan penuh perhatian dan simpanlah dalam ingatan. Sesiapa yang digosok tubuhnya dengan rebusan kulit pokok beringin, disapukan priyaṅgu, lalu memakan beras ṣaṣṭika bersama susu, dilepaskan daripada segala dosa.”
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Indra presents a ‘subtle dharma’ framed as a purificatory observance: specific bodily cleansing/anointing followed by a simple ritual diet (ṣaṣṭika rice with milk) is said to remove sin. The ethical emphasis is on purification and disciplined conduct as a means of moral restoration.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Śakra (Indra) speaks and teaches an observance described as especially subtle. He gives a concrete procedure—banyan-bark decoction rubbing, priyaṅgu anointing, and eating rice with milk—promising release from sins.