Shloka 9
Sāttvika-vṛtta-kathana (Brahmā on the Conduct of Sattva) — Chapter 38
मुधा दानं मुधा यज्ञो मुधा5धीतं मुधा व्रतम् । मुधा प्रतिग्रहश्वैव मुधा धर्मो मुधा तप:
vāyudeva uvāca | mudhā dānaṁ mudhā yajño mudhādhītaṁ mudhā vratam | mudhā pratigrahaś caiva mudhā dharmo mudhā tapaḥ ||
风神伐由说道：“若以私欲而行，则布施徒然，祭祀徒然，研习徒然，誓戒徒然；受取供养亦复徒然；乃至所谓‘法’与苦行亦皆徒然。明了此理者，仍守持前述正行，于此世依止真实，并安住于至上梵——吠陀所从出之本源——方可真正称为坚忍而明见的婆罗门。”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
External religious acts—charity, sacrifice, study, vows, even austerity and ‘dharma’—become fruitless when motivated by selfish desire. True worth lies in truthful living and steadfast orientation to the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate ground of the Veda.
Vāyudeva is instructing the listener by re-evaluating common religious practices. He emphasizes inner intention and metaphysical commitment over mere performance, defining the truly wise brāhmaṇa as one grounded in truth and the Supreme.