महाभूत–इन्द्रिय–मनस्–बुद्धि–अन्तरात्मा विवेकः | Discrimination of Elements, Senses, Mind, Intellect, and Inner Self
अभ्रावकाशा वर्षासु हेमन्ते जलसंश्रया: । ग्रीष्मे च पजच तपस: शश्वच्च मितभोजना:
abhrāvakāśā varṣāsu hemante jalasaṃśrayāḥ | grīṣme ca pañcāgnitapasāḥ śaśvac ca mitabhojanāḥ ||
ବର୍ଷାକାଳରେ ସେମାନେ ଖୋଲା ଆକାଶ ତଳେ ରହନ୍ତି, ଏବଂ ଶୀତକାଳରେ ଜଳରେ ନିମଗ୍ନ ହୋଇ ଦଣ୍ଡାୟମାନ ରହନ୍ତି। ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମ ଆସିଲେ ପଞ୍ଚାଗ୍ନି-ତପସ୍ୟାରେ ଦେହକୁ ତପାନ୍ତି, ଏବଂ ସଦା ମିତଭୋଜୀ ରହନ୍ତି।
व्यास उवाच
The verse highlights rigorous self-discipline (tapas) and restraint (mitabhojana) as ethical-spiritual practices: enduring seasonal extremes and limiting food symbolize mastery over comfort-seeking impulses, a key ideal in Śānti Parva’s dharma discourse.
Vyāsa is describing the conduct of severe ascetics: they remain under the open sky in the rains, stand in water during winter, perform the five-fire austerity in summer, and consistently eat very little—illustrating exemplary tapas within the broader teaching on dharma and peace.