Shloka 12
Vānaprastha-vṛtti and the Transition toward the Fourth Āśrama (वानप्रस्थवृत्तिः चतुर्थाश्रमोपक्रमश्च)
त्यागसूक्ष्मानुग: क्षेम्य: शौचगो ध्यानगोचर: । जीवयुक्तो रथो दिव्यो ब्रह्मलोके विराजते
tyāga-sūkṣmānugaḥ kṣemyaḥ śaucago dhyānagocaraḥ | jīvayukto ratho divyo brahmaloke virājate ||
毗耶娑说：“此神圣之车与生灵之我相系，辉然安住于梵界（Brahmaloka）。微妙之舍离德随侍其后，带来真实的安稳与福祉；它在清净中运行，游于禅定之境。于此譬喻中，受持戒律之生—由知识引导、以制根为缰—成为载具，使具身之知者超越世间流转，趋向至上真实。”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that liberation-oriented life is an inner ‘chariot’: when guided by meditation, purity, and especially subtle renunciation (tyāga), the jīva becomes fit to abide in Brahmaloka—i.e., to attain the highest spiritual state. Ethical discipline and contemplative knowledge are presented as the practical vehicle of transcendence.
Vyāsa continues an extended allegory describing yoga and self-mastery as a chariot with parts corresponding to virtues, faculties, and guiding principles. This particular verse concludes the image by stating the chariot’s qualities—welfare-bringing, pure, meditation-ranged, attended by renunciation—and its destination: it shines in Brahmaloka, implying successful ascent of the self through disciplined practice.