Shloka 31
महाभूत–इन्द्रिय–मनस्–बुद्धि–अन्तरात्मा विवेकः | Discrimination of Elements, Senses, Mind, Intellect, and Inner Self
ततः परं श्रेष्ठमतीव सदगुणै- रधिष्तितं त्रीनधिवृत्तिमुत्तमम् । चतुर्थमुक्तं परमाश्रमं शृणु प्रकीर्त्सममानं परमं परायणम्
tataḥ paraṁ śreṣṭham atīva sadguṇair adhiṣṭhitaṁ trīn adhivṛttim uttamam | caturtham uktaṁ paramāśramaṁ śṛṇu prakīrtsyamānaṁ paramaṁ parāyaṇam ||
Vyāsa disse: “Agora, para além disso, ouve o quarto e mais elevado āśrama—firmemente alicerçado em nobres virtudes, superior aos três estágios antes descritos e marcado por um cultivo mais pleno do domínio interior. Embora já tenha sido mencionado, proclamá-lo-ei novamente com especial clareza. Escuta atentamente este refúgio supremo e meta final.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates the “fourth āśrama” as the supreme life-stage, defined by strong moral virtues and heightened inner discipline, presented as the highest refuge and ultimate human goal.
Vyāsa transitions from the earlier three āśramas to a focused exposition of the fourth, stating that although it has been mentioned, he will restate it more distinctly and asks the listener to hear attentively.