Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 19
Mind as Charioteer; Kṣetrajña, Tapas, and Dhyāna-Yoga
Adhyātma-Upadeśa
यथाध्वानमपाथेय: प्रपन्नो मनुज: क्वचित् । क्लेशेन याति महता विनश्येदन्तरापि च
yathādhvānam apātheyaḥ prapanno manuṣaḥ kvacit | kleśena yāti mahatā vinaśyed antarāpi ca ||
Wika ni Vāyu: Gaya ng taong naglalakbay nang walang baon para sa daan—magpapatuloy lamang siya sa matinding hirap, at maaari pang mamatay sa kalagitnaan—gayundin ang sinumang tumahak sa landas ng buhay na walang sapat na yaman sa loob (tamang asal, pagpipigil, at kahandaan) ay nalalantad sa pagdurusa at kapahamakan.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that undertaking any major course—especially the moral and spiritual journey of life—requires proper ‘provisions’: foresight, discipline, and dharmic conduct. Without these supports, one is forced into severe hardship and may fail before reaching the goal.
Vāyudeva speaks in a didactic tone, using a concrete travel metaphor: a traveler without supplies suffers greatly and may die on the way. The image is used to warn the listener about the dangers of proceeding without adequate preparation and inner resources.