Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 713
योग–सांख्यसमन्वयः, रथोपमा, व्यक्त–अव्यक्तविवेकः
Yoga–Sāṃkhya Synthesis, Chariot Allegory, and the Vyakta–Avyakta Distinction
अदृश्यन्तार्यवर्णेषु शूद्राक्षापि तपोधना: । दानवोंके यहाँ जो व्यापारी हैं, वे सदा दूसरोंका धन ठग लेनेका ही विचार रखते हैं तथा ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय और वैश्योंमें शूद्र भी मिलकर तपोधन बन बैठे हैं
śakra uvāca | adṛśyantāryavarṇeṣu śūdrākṣā api tapodhanāḥ |
Wika ni Śakra: “Sa mga uring tinatawag na marangal, nakikita pa nga na maging yaong may tatak na Śūdra ay naging ‘mayaman sa pag-aayuno at pagninilay’—mga taong tunay na may bisa ng pagtalima at pagtalikod sa luho. Kaya’t ang panlabas na tatak ng lipunan ay hindi maaasahang sukatan ng kabutihang-loob; ang tunay na halaga ay nahahayag sa disiplina at asal, hindi sa kapanganakan o anyo.”
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses that spiritual excellence (tapas and disciplined conduct) can be found irrespective of social designation; ethical and ascetic merit is not guaranteed by ‘noble’ birth and can arise even where society least expects it.
Indra (Śakra) is making an observation about society and dharma: within the recognized varṇas, people identified as Śūdras are also seen as tapodhanas, highlighting the mismatch between external status and inner virtue.