Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 46
Mind as Charioteer; Kṣetrajña, Tapas, and Dhyāna-Yoga
Adhyātma-Upadeśa
शुक्लं कृष्णं तथा रक्त नील॑ पीतारुणं तथा
śuklaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ tathā raktaṃ nīlaṃ pītāruṇaṃ tathā | vijñeyaṃ brāhmaṇair vṛddhair dharmajñaiḥ satyavādibhiḥ ||
వాయుదేవుడు అన్నాడు—శుక్లం, కృష్ణం, రక్తం; నీలం, పీతం, అరుణం—ఈ భేదాలు సత్యవాదులైన, ధర్మజ్ఞులైన వృద్ధ బ్రాహ్మణులచే తెలుసుకోవలసినవని చెప్పబడింది.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True understanding of subtle distinctions (here, the color-forms of a radiant/fiery principle) is entrusted to disciplined authorities—elders who are both dharma-knowing and committed to truth—linking knowledge with ethical qualification.
Vāyu-deva is speaking and enumerates a set of color categories (white, black, red, blue, yellow, tawny), stating that such distinctions are to be recognized and taught by venerable, truthful Brāhmaṇas who know dharma.