महाभारतः mahābhārataḥ - book-13, chapter-109, verse-63

ब्राह्मणेभ्यः परं नास्ति पावनं दिवि चेह च ।
उपवासैस्तथा तुल्यं तपःकर्म न विद्यते ॥६३॥

63. brāhmaṇebhyaḥ paraṁ nāsti pāvanaṁ divi ceha ca ,
upavāsaistathā tulyaṁ tapaḥkarma na vidyate.

63. brāhmaṇebhyaḥ param na asti pāvanam divi ca iha
ca upavāsaiḥ tathā tulyam tapaḥkarma na vidyate

63. brāhmaṇebhyaḥ param pāvanam divi ca iha ca na
asti tathā upavāsaiḥ tulyam tapaḥkarma na vidyate

63. There is nothing more sacred or purifying than brahmins, neither in heaven nor here on earth. Similarly, no act of austerity (tapas) equal to fasting (upavāsa) exists.

Words meanings summery:

• ब्राह्मणेभ्यः (brāhmaṇebhyaḥ) - than brahmins (in terms of purity) (to brahmins, from brahmins, than brahmins)

• परम् (param) - superior (in sacredness/purity) (higher, superior, ultimate)

• न (na) - not, no

• अस्ति (asti) - is, exists

• पावनम् (pāvanam) - purifying, sacred, holy

• दिवि (divi) - in heaven, in the sky

• च (ca) - and, also

• इह (iha) - here on earth (here, in this world)

• च (ca) - and, also

• उपवासैः (upavāsaiḥ) - by fasts, through fasting

• तथा (tathā) - similarly, thus, so

• तुल्यम् (tulyam) - equal, similar

• तपःकर्म (tapaḥkarma) - act of austerity, ascetic practice

• न (na) - not, no

• विद्यते (vidyate) - exists (is found) (is found, exists, is known)

Words meanings and morphology

ब्राह्मणेभ्यः (brāhmaṇebhyaḥ) - than brahmins (in terms of purity) (to brahmins, from brahmins, than brahmins)

(noun)

Ablative, masculine, plural of brāhmaṇa

brāhmaṇa - brahmin, priestly class, relating to Brahman, sacred

Derived from 'brahman' (ultimate reality, prayer).

परम् (param) - superior (in sacredness/purity) (higher, superior, ultimate)

(adjective)

Nominative, neuter, singular of para

para - other, foreign, subsequent, superior, ultimate, supreme

Note: Agrees with 'pāvanam'.

न (na) - not, no

(indeclinable)

An indeclinable particle used for negation.

अस्ति (asti) - is, exists

(verb)

3rd person , singular, active, present indicative (laṭ) of as

Present Indicative Active

3rd person singular, present tense, active voice.

Root: as (class 2)

पावनम् (pāvanam) - purifying, sacred, holy

(noun)

Nominative, neuter, singular of pāvana

pāvana - purifying, sacred, holy, pure, a means of purification

Gerundive/Nomen Agentis

Derived from root 'pū' (to purify).

Root: pū (class 1)

दिवि (divi) - in heaven, in the sky

(noun)

Locative, feminine, singular of div

div - sky, heaven, day

च (ca) - and, also

(indeclinable)

A conjunction particle.

इह (iha) - here on earth (here, in this world)

(indeclinable)

An adverb of place.

च (ca) - and, also

(indeclinable)

A conjunction particle. Used in 'ca...ca' construction for 'neither...nor'.

उपवासैः (upavāsaiḥ) - by fasts, through fasting

(noun)

Instrumental, masculine, plural of upavāsa

upavāsa - fasting, abstinence from food, a religious fast

From 'upa' (near) + root 'vas' (to dwell, to stay), implying dwelling near the deity, hence fasting.

Prefix: upa

Root: vas (class 1)

तथा (tathā) - similarly, thus, so

(indeclinable)

An adverb of manner.

तुल्यम् (tulyam) - equal, similar

(adjective)

Nominative, neuter, singular of tulya

tulya - equal, similar, like

From root 'tul' (to weigh, compare).

Root: tul (class 10)

Note: Agrees with 'tapaḥkarma'.

तपःकर्म (tapaḥkarma) - act of austerity, ascetic practice

(noun)

Nominative, neuter, singular of tapaḥkarma

tapaḥkarma - act of austerity, ascetic practice, penance

Compound of 'tapas' (austerity) and 'karma' (action).

Compound type : ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa (tapas+karma)

• tapas – austerity, penance, spiritual heat
  noun (neuter)
  From root 'tap' (to heat, to burn).
  Root: tap (class 1)
• karma – action, deed, ritual, fate
  noun (neuter)
  From root 'kṛ' (to do, to make).
  Root: kṛ (class 8)

न (na) - not, no

(indeclinable)

An indeclinable particle used for negation.

विद्यते (vidyate) - exists (is found) (is found, exists, is known)

(verb)

3rd person , singular, middle, present indicative (laṭ) of vid

Present Indicative Middle

3rd person singular, present tense, middle/passive voice.

Root: vid (class 4)