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 |
Śakra berkata: “Dalam kalangan yang kononnya ‘bangsawan’, bahkan mereka yang bertanda sebagai Śūdra pun terlihat telah menjadi ‘kaya dengan tapa’—orang yang benar-benar memiliki jasa pertapaan. Maka, label sosial yang zahir tidak dapat dipercayai untuk menilai kebajikan batin; nilai sejati terserlah melalui disiplin dan tingkah laku, bukan melalui kelahiran atau rupa.”
शक्र उवाच
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.