Shloka 22
Yoga-kṛtya (योककृत्य) — Vyāsa on Sense-Restraint, Obstacles, and Brahman-Realization
तपो निः:श्रेयसं जन्तोस्तस्य मूलं शमो दम: । तेन सर्वानिवाप्नोति यान् कामान् मनसेच्छति
tapo niḥśreyasaṃ jantostasya mūlaṃ śamo damaḥ | tena sarvān ivāpnoti yān kāmān manasecchati ||
Sinabi ni Vyāsa: Para sa nilalang na may buhay, ang tapas (pagpapakasakit/mahigpit na disiplina) ay tuwirang daan tungo sa pinakamataas na kabutihan. Ang ugat ng tapas ay śama (panloob na kapanatagan) at dama (pagpipigil sa sarili). Sa ganitong pagsasanay na may disiplina, natatamo ng tao ang lahat ng layon at kaganapang ninanais ng isip sa wastong paraan.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Tapas (disciplined austerity) leads toward the highest good (niḥśreyasa), but it must be rooted in śama (inner calm) and dama (sense-restraint). When mind and senses are governed, one gains the capacity to realize one’s chosen aims in a dharmic way.
In the instruction-heavy Shānti Parva, Vyāsa states a general ethical-spiritual principle: true austerity is not mere hardship but disciplined living founded on mental tranquility and self-control, which empowers a person to attain desired goals and ultimately supports the pursuit of the highest welfare.