Shloka 2
Vānaprastha-vṛtti and the Transition toward the Fourth Āśrama (वानप्रस्थवृत्तिः चतुर्थाश्रमोपक्रमश्च)
प्रज्ञया निश्चिता धीरास्तारयन्त्यबुधान् प्लवै: | नाबुधास्तारयन्त्यन्यानात्मानं वा कथंचन
prajñayā niścitā dhīrās tārayanty abudhān plavaiḥ | nābudhās tārayanty anyān ātmānaṃ vā kathaṃcana ||
Стойкие мужи, чьё прозрение твёрдо установило истину, переправляют неразумных через океан мирского бытия на плоту знания. Но неразумные не могут переправить других и не способны спасти даже самих себя каким бы то ни было образом.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Only those who have firm, realized discernment of truth can effectively guide others; wisdom functions like a raft that carries both the guide and the guided across the dangers of saṃsāra, whereas ignorance lacks the capacity to liberate either oneself or others.
Vyāsa states a general ethical-spiritual principle within the Śānti Parva’s instruction: the truly wise (dhīra) become capable teachers and rescuers of others, while the unwise remain unable to provide guidance or attain their own deliverance.