Shloka 52
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
तदनन्तर विद्युत्प्रभने इन्द्रसे कहा--“शतक्रतो! यह सूक्ष्मतर धर्म मैं बता रहा हूँ। इसे ध्यानपूर्वक सुनिये ।। घृष्टो वटकषायेण अनुलिप्त: प्रियंगुणा । क्षीरेण षष्टिकान् भुक््त्वा सर्वपापै: प्रमुच्यते
tadanantaraṃ vidyutprabhane indraḥ se kahā— “śatakrato! ayaṃ sūkṣmataraḥ dharmaḥ mayā te kathyate; taṃ dhārayitvā śṛṇu. ghṛṣṭo vaṭakaṣāyeṇa anuliptaḥ priyaṅguṇā, kṣīreṇa ṣaṣṭikān bhuktvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate.”
तदनन्तरं विद्युत्प्रभ इन्द्रमुवाच—शतक्रतो! सूक्ष्मतरं धर्ममिदं वक्ष्यामि; सावधानः शृणु। यो वटत्वक्कषायेण घृष्टः, प्रियङ्गुणा चानुलिप्तः, क्षीरेण सह षष्टिकान् भुङ्क्ते, स सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते।
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Indra presents a ‘subtle dharma’ framed as a purificatory observance: specific bodily cleansing/anointing followed by a simple ritual diet (ṣaṣṭika rice with milk) is said to remove sin. The ethical emphasis is on purification and disciplined conduct as a means of moral restoration.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Śakra (Indra) speaks and teaches an observance described as especially subtle. He gives a concrete procedure—banyan-bark decoction rubbing, priyaṅgu anointing, and eating rice with milk—promising release from sins.