Shloka 8
Yājñavalkya on the Sources of Dharma and the Saṁskāras of the Twice-Born
इज्याचारो दमो ऽहिंसा दानं स्वाध्यायकर्म च / अयं च परमो धर्मो यद्योगेनात्मदर्शनम्
ijyācāro damo 'hiṃsā dānaṃ svādhyāyakarma ca / ayaṃ ca paramo dharmo yadyogenātmadarśanam
Hạnh nghi lễ thờ phụng, tự chế, bất bạo hại (ahiṃsā), bố thí và hành trì việc học tụng kinh điển thánh (svādhyāya)—đều là pháp (dharma). Nhưng pháp tối thượng là pháp mà nhờ yoga, hành giả chứng kiến trực tiếp Chân Ngã (Ātman).
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: All virtues support dharma, but the supreme dharma is yogic realization—direct vision of the Self.
Vedantic Theme: Ātma-sākṣātkāra and the hierarchy of dharmas culminating in liberation-oriented yoga.
Application: Maintain yama-like virtues (ahiṃsā, dama, dāna, svādhyāya) and add a steady yoga/meditation discipline aimed at Self-inquiry and direct experience.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma/Ācāra sections): lists of sadācāra, yama-niyama, and mokṣa-oriented teachings in adjacent adhyāyas
FAQs
It lists core dharmic disciplines—worship, restraint, non-violence, charity, and scriptural study—while declaring Self-realization through yoga as the supreme dharma.
It points beyond external merit to inner liberation: the soul’s highest good is direct knowledge of the Self attained through yoga, which culminates in moksha.
Live with restraint and non-violence, give in charity, maintain regular sacred study, and add a steady yoga/meditation practice aimed at inner realization—not merely ritual performance.