Shloka 25
Mohinī-prashna
The Question about Mohinī
संस्रातोऽपि सुदांतोऽपि न गतिं प्राप्नुयादिति । पितरं को न वंदेत मातरं को न पूजयेत् ॥ २५ ॥
saṃsrāto'pi sudāṃto'pi na gatiṃ prāpnuyāditi | pitaraṃ ko na vaṃdeta mātaraṃ ko na pūjayet || 25 ||
纵然沐浴洁净、持戒自律，仍可能不得达真实归趣；那么，谁会不向父亲顶礼，谁会不敬奉母亲呢？
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
The verse teaches that external purity (bathing) and even personal discipline are insufficient if one neglects foundational dharma—reverence and service to one’s parents—without which higher spiritual attainment (gati) is obstructed.
It implies that bhakti is not merely ritual or austerity; it must be grounded in humility and gratitude expressed through honoring father and mother, which purifies the heart and supports genuine devotion.
While no single Vedanga is explicitly taught, the verse emphasizes sadachara (right conduct) as the practical application of dharma that underlies Vedic ritual life—purity rules and discipline must be joined with ethical duty toward parents.