Shloka 53
Adhyāya 48: Brahmopadeśa on Prāṇāyāma, Sāttvika Vṛtti, and the Sattva–Kṣetrajña Question
सत्त्वात् परतरं नान्यत् प्रशंसन्तीह तद्विद: । इस प्रकार जो पहले अपने अन्तःकरणको शुद्ध कर लेता है
sattvāt parataraṃ nānyat praśaṃsantīha tadvidaḥ |
风神婆由说道：“真知者于此世间，不称扬有任何物高于萨埵（sattva，清净明朗之德）。人若先净化内在之器——心与意——则其所求者，便得其所求。自我（我性）以纯有（sat）为性，超越未显（avyakta），能趋于不死；故明了萨埵之我其伟大者，于此不赞叹任何物胜过萨埵。”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that sattva—inner purity and clarity—is the highest praised principle for those who know truth. By purifying the inner instrument (antaḥkaraṇa), one becomes capable of attaining desired aims, and more importantly, realizing the Self (ātman) that transcends the unmanifest and leads toward immortality.
Vāyudeva is speaking as a spiritual instructor, emphasizing a hierarchy of values: inner purification and sattvic realization are superior to other pursuits. The statement functions as doctrinal guidance within the Ashvamedhika Parva’s broader post-war ethical and spiritual reflections.