Shloka 23
Brahma-vidyā: Satya–Tapas and the Enumeration of Tattvas
Arjuna–Vāsudeva framed dialogue
भूतभव्यभविष्यादि धर्मकामार्थनि श्चयम् । सिद्धसंघपरिज्ञातं पुराकल्पं सनातनम्
bhūtabhavyabhaviṣyādi dharmakāmārthaniścayam | siddhasaṅghaparijñātaṃ purākalpaṃ sanātanam, mahāprājña! yasmīn bhūta-vartamāna-bhaviṣyādīnāṃ tathā dharma-artha-kāmānāṃ svarūpasya niścayo kṛtaḥ, yaṃ siddhagaṇo bhūyaḥ samyag avagataḥ, yaḥ pūrvakāle viniścitaḥ, yaṃ viditvā buddhimantaḥ puruṣāḥ siddhā bhavanti, tasya paramottamasya sanātanasya jñānasya adhunāhaṃ tvāṃ prati varṇanaṃ kariṣyāmi
伐由说道：“大智者啊，我今当为汝宣说那至上而永恒的智慧——其中对过去、现在、未来之性相作决定了知，亦对法（dharma）、利（artha）、欲（kāma）之真实尺度作明断。此智为诸成就者（悉地者，siddha）之众所深知，早在上古已定立；智者得闻得知，便能臻于灵性圆满。”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse introduces an exposition of ‘eternal knowledge’ that clarifies the nature of time (past, present, future) and the proper understanding of the human aims—dharma (right order), artha (welfare), and kāma (desire). It frames this knowledge as time-tested, affirmed by perfected sages, and spiritually transformative for the wise.
Vāyudeva begins a didactic discourse, announcing that he will explain an ancient, authoritative doctrine. The emphasis is on the pedigree of the teaching—known to siddhas and settled in primordial times—before the detailed instruction that follows.