Mahabharata 3.201.94 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 201, Shloka 94
Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)
पुण्यतीर्थाभिषेकं च पवित्राणां च कीर्तनम् । सद्धिः सम्भाषणं चैव प्रशस्तं कीर्त्यते बुधै:
puṇyatīrthābhiṣekaṃ ca pavitrāṇāṃ ca kīrtanam | saddhiḥ sambhāṣaṇaṃ caiva praśastaṃ kīrtyate budhaiḥ ||
Wika ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Ang pagligo sa mga banal na tawiran at sagradong pook, ang pagbigkas ng mga dalisay na mantra, at ang magalang na pakikipag-usap sa mga taong may kabutihang-asal—ang lahat ng ito ay pinupuri ng mga pantas bilang mahuhusay na gawain.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that inner and outer purification are supported by three praised disciplines: sacred bathing (tīrtha-snāna/abhiṣeka), purifying recitation (pavitra-kīrtana), and elevating companionship through respectful dialogue with the virtuous (sādhu-sambhāṣaṇa). Together they cultivate dharma by cleansing conduct, speech, and intention.
In the Vana Parva’s tīrtha-related discourse, Yudhiṣṭhira articulates what the wise commend as best practices for a dharma-minded person—especially relevant to life in exile and pilgrimage—highlighting how holy places, sacred utterance, and the company of good people shape righteous living.
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