Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 49
Mokṣa-dharma Yoga-Upadeśa: Equanimity, Sense-Restraint, and Vision of the Ātman (आत्मदर्शन-योगोपदेशः)
सर्वतःपाणिपादान्त: सर्वतो$क्षिशिरोमुख: । सर्वतः श्रुतिमाल्लोके सर्वमावृत्य तिष्ठति
sarvataḥ-pāṇi-pādāntaḥ sarvato 'kṣi-śiro-mukhaḥ | sarvataḥ śrutimāl loke sarvam āvṛtya tiṣṭhati ||
ਉਹ ਹਰ ਪਾਸੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਤੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਹਰ ਪਾਸੇ ਅੱਖਾਂ, ਸਿਰ ਅਤੇ ਮੁਖ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਹਰ ਪਾਸੇ ਕੰਨਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ; ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਉਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਆਪ ਕੇ, ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਕੇ ਸਥਿਤ ਹੈ।
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the omnipresence of the Supreme: He is described as having senses and limbs in all directions, meaning that all beings and all perception are pervaded by one divine reality. Ethically, this supports non-harm, humility, and reverence toward others, since the same indwelling presence encompasses all.
In this passage of the Aśvamedhika Parva, a Brahmin speaker delivers a doctrinal instruction describing the nature of the supreme principle as all-encompassing. The statement functions as a contemplative teaching within the broader post-war setting, redirecting attention from external acts to inner realization and righteous conduct.