Shloka 10
Jarā-Mṛtyu-anatikrama: Janaka–Pañcaśikha-saṃvāda
Aging and Death Cannot Be Overstepped
विद्याविद्यार्थतत्त्वेन मयोक्ता ते विशेषत: । अक्षरं च क्षरं चैव यदुक्त तन्निबोध मे
vidyāvidyārthatattvena mayoktā te viśeṣataḥ | akṣaraṃ ca kṣaraṃ caiva yaduktaṃ tannibodha me
வசிஷ்டர் கூறினார்—வித்யை, அவித்யை ஆகியவற்றின் தத்துவார்த்தத்தை நான் உனக்கு தெளிவாகச் சொன்னேன். இப்போது ‘அக்ஷரம்’ மற்றும் ‘க்ஷரம்’ பற்றி கூறப்பட்டதை என்னிடமிருந்து அறிந்து கொள்.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a transition from explaining the real meaning of knowledge versus ignorance to clarifying the distinction between the imperishable (akṣara) and the perishable (kṣara). Ethically, it points toward discernment: liberation-oriented knowledge recognizes what is enduring and what is transient, reducing attachment and confusion.
Vasiṣṭha, as teacher, reminds the listener that he has already set out the essentials of vidyā and avidyā, and now invites attentive understanding of his further instruction about akṣara and kṣara—continuing a didactic, contemplative discourse typical of the Śānti Parva’s teachings on peace and liberation.