Shloka 12
Anuśāsana-parva Adhyāya 112: Dharma as the sole companion; karmic witnesses; rebirth sequences
Bṛhaspati–Yudhiṣṭhira Saṃvāda
वृत्तशौचं मन:शौचं तीर्थशौचमत: परम् । ज्ञानोत्पन्नं च यच्छौचं तच्छौचं परमं स्मृतम्
vṛttaśaucaṃ manaḥśaucaṃ tīrthaśaucam ataḥ param | jñānotpannaṃ ca yacchaucaṃ tacchaucaṃ paramaṃ smṛtam ||
Sabi ni Bhishma: May kadalisayan ng asal, kadalisayan ng isip, at kadalisayang nakukuha sa mga banal na pook (tīrtha); ngunit higit sa mga ito ang kadalisayang sumisibol mula sa tunay na kaalaman. Ang kadalisayang isinilang ng kaalaman ang itinuturing na pinakamataas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Purity has multiple forms—ethical conduct, mental integrity, and ritual/pilgrimage-based cleansing—but the highest purification is inner clarity born of true knowledge, because it transforms the root of intention and understanding.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues his teachings by ranking kinds of purity, emphasizing that wisdom-based inner purification surpasses external or merely ritual forms.