Shloka 15
Brahmā’s Instruction on Brahmacarya, Vānaprastha, and the Aliṅga Path
Ethics of Non-attachment
दान्तो मैत्र: क्षमायुक्त: केशान् श्मश्रुच धारयन् । जुद्दन् स्वाध्यायशीलश्च सत्यधर्मपरायण:
dānto maitraḥ kṣamāyuktaḥ keśān śmaśrū ca dhārayan | juhvan svādhyāyaśīlaś ca satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ ||
वायुरुवाच—दान्तो मैत्रः क्षमायुक्तः केशान् श्मश्रूणि च धारयन्। कालेऽग्निहोत्रं जुहुयात्, स्वाध्यायशीलः स्यात्, सत्यधर्मपरायणः॥
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse prescribes an ethical-ritual ideal: mastery of the senses (dama), friendliness (maitrī), forgiveness (kṣamā), outward marks of a disciplined life (keeping hair and beard), regular fire-offerings (agnihotra), steady Vedic study (svādhyāya), and unwavering commitment to truth and dharma.
Vāyu is speaking as an instructor, laying down conduct and observances—both inner virtues and outer duties—that define a righteous life in the Ashvamedhika Parva’s didactic context.