Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 47
Mind as Charioteer; Kṣetrajña, Tapas, and Dhyāna-Yoga
Adhyātma-Upadeśa
हस्व॑ दीर्घ कृशं स्थूलं चतुरस््र तु वृत्तवत् । एवं द्वादशविस्तारं तेजसो रूपमुच्यते
hrasvaṁ dīrghaṁ kṛśaṁ sthūlaṁ caturasraṁ tu vṛttavat | evaṁ dvādaśa-vistāraṁ tejaso rūpam ucyate ||
Wika ni Vāyu: “Ang anyo ng tejas—ang nagniningning na lakas—ay inilalarawan na may labindalawang paraan ng paglawak: maaari itong magpakita na maikli o mahaba, manipis o makapal, parisukat o bilog. Sa gayong sari-saring sukat at hugis, ipinahahayag ang likas na katangian ng ‘tejas.’”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that ‘tejas’ (radiant/fire-like energy) is not confined to a single visible shape; it is understood through multiple modes of extension—contrasting dimensions (short/long, thin/thick) and geometries (square/round)—indicating a many-sided, descriptive approach to subtle principles.
Vāyu is speaking in an explanatory, instructional passage, defining how the form of ‘tejas’ is characterized. The focus is not on action but on doctrinal description—classifying the appearances or dimensions by which tejas is recognized.