Shloka 13
Vānaprastha-vṛtti and the Transition toward the Fourth Āśrama (वानप्रस्थवृत्तिः चतुर्थाश्रमोपक्रमश्च)
अथ संत्वरमाणस्य रथमेवं युयुक्षत: । अक्षरं गन्तुमनसो विधि वक्ष्यामि शीघ्रगम्
atha saṁtvaramāṇasya ratham evaṁ yuyukṣataḥ | akṣaraṁ gantumanaso vidhiṁ vakṣyāmi śīghragam ||
ਹੁਣ ਜੋ ਸਾਧਕ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਰਥ ਨੂੰ ਜੋੜ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਅਕਸ਼ਰ (ਅਵਿਨਾਸ਼ੀ) ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੱਗਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਛੇਤੀ ਹੀ ਉਚਿਤ ਵਿਧੀ—ਉਸ ਲਕਸ਼ ਤੱਕ ਦਾ ਤੇਜ਼ ਉਪਾਅ—ਦੱਸਾਂਗਾ।
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames liberation-oriented instruction as a disciplined ‘method’ (vidhi) for a seeker whose mind is fixed on the Akṣara (the Imperishable). It emphasizes urgency and readiness—spiritual progress is presented as something to be undertaken deliberately, with a clear procedure that leads swiftly toward the highest goal.
Vyāsa begins a new segment of guidance: addressing a person who is ‘hastening’ and ‘preparing the chariot,’ he announces that he will explain a fast-acting method to reach the Imperishable. The chariot language signals preparation for a purposeful journey—here, a spiritual journey toward the ultimate reality.