Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 26
Vivāha-dharma: Kanyā-pradāna, Śulka, and Pāṇigrahaṇa-niṣṭhā (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४४)
अमरोअस्मीति यद्बुद्धिं समास्थाय प्रवर्तसे । मावमंस्था न तपसा नसाध्यं नाम किंचन
amaro ’smīti yad-buddhiṁ samāsthāya pravartase | māvamamsthā na tapasā na sādhyaṁ nāma kiñcana ||
Sinabi ni Vipula: “Kung, sa pagkapit sa isip na ‘ako’y imortal,’ ay magpapatuloy ka sa pagsunod sa sariling kapritso, binabalaan kita: huwag mong insultuhin ang isang ascetic. Sapagkat sa pamamagitan ng austeridad, walang bagay na hindi maisasakatuparan—ang tunay na tapasvin ay kayang pabagsakin maging ang mga nag-aakalang sila’y di mamamatay.”
विपुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Arrogance based on presumed invulnerability (‘I am immortal’) leads to adharma. One must not disrespect ascetics, because tapas is portrayed as a real moral-spiritual force capable of achieving what seems impossible and of punishing wrongdoing.
Vipula admonishes someone who is behaving recklessly under the belief of being beyond death. He cautions that insulting a tapasvin is dangerous, emphasizing that ascetic power can overcome even those who consider themselves immortal.