Shloka 16
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
इदं चैवापरं देवि ब्रह्मणा समुदाह्नतम् । अध्यात्मं नैछ्िकं सद्धिर्धर्मकामैनिषिव्यते
idaṃ caivāparaṃ devi brahmaṇā samudāhṛtam | adhyātmaṃ naiṣṭhikaṃ sād-bhir dharma-kāmaiḥ niṣevyate devi ||
E, ó Deusa, Brahmā declarou ainda este ponto: os homens bons e disciplinados que verdadeiramente desejam o dharma devem dedicar-se, por toda a vida, à firme prática espiritual interior (adhyātma). O ensinamento assenta a vida ética no cultivo contínuo de si mesmo, e não na mera observância exterior.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Those who genuinely seek dharma should commit to steady, lifelong adhyātma—inner spiritual discipline and self-knowledge—because ethical life is sustained by inner transformation, not only external rites.
Maheśvara addresses Devī and cites Brahmā as an authoritative source, adding a further instruction: virtuous people intent on dharma should continually cultivate adhyātma.