तपो यज्ञस्तथा विद्या भैक्ष्यमिन्द्रियसंयम: । ध्यानमेकान्तशीलव्वं तुष्टिज्ञानं च शक्तित:
tapo yajñas tathā vidyā bhaikṣyam indriya-saṁyamaḥ | dhyānam ekānta-śīlatvaṁ tuṣṭi-jñānaṁ ca śaktitaḥ ||
Wika ni Vyāsa: “Pagpapakasakit (tapas), paghahandog (yajña), at pag-aaral; pamumuhay sa limos at pagpipigil sa mga pandama; pagninilay, pagkahilig sa pag-iisa, at pagkakuntento na may tunay na pagkaunawa—ang mga ito’y dapat linangin ayon sa sariling kakayahan.”
व्यास उवाच
The verse lists core disciplines of dharmic life—tapas (austerity), yajña (sacrificial duty), vidyā (learning), mendicant simplicity, sense-restraint, meditation, solitude, contentment, and knowledge—and emphasizes practicing them in proportion to one’s capacity (śaktitaḥ), balancing effort with sustainability.
In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, Vyāsa is instructing on the means to peace and righteousness after the war, outlining a graded set of practices that cultivate inner steadiness and ethical conduct rather than merely external observance.