Shloka 12
Utkramaṇa-sthāna and Ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇa: Yājñavalkya’s Instruction on Departure Pathways and Mortality Signs
धार्यते हि त्वया ग्रन्थ उभयोर्वेदशास्त्रयो: । नच ग्रन्थस्य तत्त्वज्ञो यथातत्त्व॑ नरेश्वर,नरेश्वर! इसमें संदेह नहीं कि वेद-शास्त्रोंमें जो कुछ लिखा है, वह सब तुम्हें याद है; परंतु ग्रन्थके यथार्थ तत्त्वका तुम्हें ठीक-ठीक ज्ञान नहीं है
dhāryate hi tvayā grantha ubhayor vedaśāstrayoḥ | na ca granthasya tattvajño yathātattvaṁ nareśvara ||
वसिष्ठ उवाच—धार्यते हि त्वया ग्रन्थ उभयोर्वेदशास्त्रयोः। न च ग्रन्थस्य तत्त्वज्ञो यथातत्त्वं नरेश्वर॥
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes between merely retaining sacred texts and truly grasping their essence (tattva). Ethical and dharmic living requires insight into meaning and purpose, not only recitation or textual mastery.
Vasiṣṭha addresses a king and gently rebukes him: although the king has memorized the Veda and śāstras, he lacks correct understanding of their true purport. The scene functions as instruction on how rulers should seek wisdom beyond rote learning.