Shloka 110
Adhyāya 284: Tapas as a Corrective to Household Attachment
Parāśara’s Instruction
नमो रथ्यविरथ्याय चतुष्पथरथाय च । कृष्णाजिनोत्तरीयाय व्यालयज्ञोपवीतिने
bhīṣma uvāca | namo rathyāvirathyāya catuṣpatharathāya ca | kṛṣṇājinottarīyāya vyālayajñopavītine ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Pagpupugay sa iyo na nakalalakbay kapwa sa lansangang-hari at sa labas ng daan, at sumasakay sa karwaheng nasa sangandaan ng apat na landas—na ang iyong paglalakbay ay sa apat na daan: tubig, apoy, hangin, at kalawakan. Pagpupugay sa iyo na nakabalabal ng balat ng itim na antelope, at may suot na yajñopavīta, ang banal na sinulid na yari sa mga ahas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches reverence for the supreme reality that transcends conventional boundaries—moving both ‘on the road’ and ‘off the road’—and pervades all elements. The ascetic symbols (antelope-skin, serpent sacred thread) emphasize renunciation and mastery over fear and death, suggesting that true authority rests in spiritual power aligned with cosmic order (dharma).
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma delivers teachings and praises; here he utters a stuti (hymn) saluting a deity depicted with Rudra/Śiva-like attributes. The imagery presents the deity as cosmic in movement (through water, fire, wind, and space) and ascetic in appearance, underscoring the deity’s all-pervading nature and worthiness of worship.