Shloka 11

Abhaya-Itihāsa: Karma, Indriyas, and the Non-sensory Brahman

Brāhmaṇī–Brāhmaṇa Saṃvāda

Devanagari script

यत्र ब्रह्मादयो युक्तास्तदक्षरमुपासते | विद्वांस: सुव्रता यत्र शान्तात्मानो जितेन्द्रिया:

Transliteration

yatra brahmādayo yuktās tad akṣaram upāsate | vidvāṁsaḥ suvratā yatra śāntātmāno jitendriyāḥ ||

Translation

ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମା ଆଦି ଦେବଗଣ ଯୋଗଯୁକ୍ତ ହୋଇ ସେଇ ଅବିନାଶୀ ପରବ୍ରହ୍ମଙ୍କୁ ଉପାସନା କରନ୍ତି; ସେଠାରେ ଉତ୍ତମ ବ୍ରତଧାରୀ, ଶାନ୍ତଚିତ୍ତ, ଜିତେନ୍ଦ୍ରିୟ ବିଦ୍ୱାନମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ବସନ୍ତି।

Word by Word

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र

• ब्रह्मादयः: Brahmā and others
• ब्रह्मादयः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मादि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• युक्ताः: yoked; engaged (in yoga)
• युक्ताः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अक्षरम्: the imperishable (Brahman)
• अक्षरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्षर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• उपासते: they worship/meditate upon
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-आस्
• Form: Present, Third, Plural, Ātmanepada

• विद्वांसः: the learned
• विद्वांसः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वस्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सुव्रताः: of good vows; well-disciplined
• सुव्रताः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुव्रत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र

• शान्तात्मानः: whose self is calm; tranquil-minded
• शान्तात्मानः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्तात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• जितेन्द्रियाः: having conquered the senses
• जितेन्द्रियाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जितेन्द्रिय
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāyudeva
• Brahmā
• other deities (brahmādayaḥ)
• Akṣara (Imperishable Brahman)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse elevates inner discipline as the gateway to the highest object of worship: the Imperishable (Akṣara/Brahman). Even the greatest beings are portrayed as approaching it through yoga, while human exemplars are defined by vows, tranquility, and mastery of the senses—ethical self-governance as the foundation of spiritual realization.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyudeva describes a supreme spiritual destination or state, characterized by the presence of exalted gods and perfected sages. He emphasizes that this is the sphere where they, established in yoga, engage in contemplation/worship of the Imperishable, highlighting the qualities required to approach that goal.