अज्ञान–लोभयोः परस्परहेतुत्वम्
Mutual Causality of Ignorance and Greed
यो मर्त्य: प्रतिपद्येत आयुर्जीवितमात्मन: । यज्ञमेकान्तत: कृत्वा तत् संन्यस्य तपश्चरेत्
yo martyaḥ pratipadyeta āyur jīvitam ātmanaḥ | yajñam ekāntataḥ kṛtvā tat saṃnyasya tapaś caret |
Wika ni Śaunaka: “Kung ang isang mortal ay naghahangad ng mahabang buhay para sa sarili, dapat muna niyang isagawa ang yajña nang buong-pusong masikap; at pagkaraan, matapos talikuran ang landas ng paghahandog na iyon, italaga niya ang sarili sa tapas—mahigpit na pagpipigil at pagninilay.”
शौनक उवाच
The verse teaches a two-step ethical-spiritual path: first fulfill disciplined ritual duty (yajña) with focused commitment, then move beyond external acts through renunciation and sustained austerity (tapas). Longevity is linked to regulated living and inner purification rather than mere desire.
Śaunaka is speaking in an instructive context, stating what a person should do if he aims for long life: perform sacrifice with single-minded effort, then renounce that ritual engagement and take up austerity, indicating a progression from outward dharma to inward self-control.