Shloka 6
धन-यज्ञ-दानविवेकः
Wealth, Sacrifice, and Disciplined Giving
कर्मनिष्ठां श्न बुद्धयेथास्तपोनिष्ठां श्व पार्थिव । वैखानसानां कौन्तेय वचन श्रूयते यथा
karmanīṣṭhāṃ ca buddhyethās tapo-nīṣṭhāṃ ca pārthiva | vaikhānasānāṃ kaunteya vacanaṃ śrūyate yathā ||
O hari, dapat mong maunawaan na sa mga rishi ay may ilan na matatag sa karma—sa mga gawaing ritwal—at may ilan na matatag sa tapas—sa mahigpit na pag-aayuno at pagninilay. O anak ni Kuntī, ganito raw naririnig ang aral ng mga pantas na Vaikhānasa—at dito nagsisimula ang kanilang may-kapangyarihang payo tungkol sa wastong landas ng buhay-dharma.
देवस्थान उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes two legitimate orientations among ṛṣis: commitment to dharma through prescribed action (karmanīṣṭhā) and commitment through austerity and renunciation (tapo-nīṣṭhā), presenting both as recognized, tradition-backed modes of righteous life.
Devāsthāna addresses the king (Kaunteya/Yudhiṣṭhira), introducing a traditional Vaikhānasa teaching. The speaker frames the discussion by noting that sages follow different disciplines, preparing the listener for an authoritative exposition that follows.