Shloka 10
Jarā-Mṛtyu-anatikrama: Janaka–Pañcaśikha-saṃvāda
Aging and Death Cannot Be Overstepped
विद्याविद्यार्थतत्त्वेन मयोक्ता ते विशेषत: । अक्षरं च क्षरं चैव यदुक्त तन्निबोध मे
vidyāvidyārthatattvena mayoktā te viśeṣataḥ | akṣaraṃ ca kṣaraṃ caiva yaduktaṃ tannibodha me
瓦西什塔说道：“我已向你格外分明地阐释了知识与无明的真实旨趣。如今，你当从我处领会：关于不坏（akṣara）与可坏（kṣara）所说之教。”
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a transition from explaining the real meaning of knowledge versus ignorance to clarifying the distinction between the imperishable (akṣara) and the perishable (kṣara). Ethically, it points toward discernment: liberation-oriented knowledge recognizes what is enduring and what is transient, reducing attachment and confusion.
Vasiṣṭha, as teacher, reminds the listener that he has already set out the essentials of vidyā and avidyā, and now invites attentive understanding of his further instruction about akṣara and kṣara—continuing a didactic, contemplative discourse typical of the Śānti Parva’s teachings on peace and liberation.