पारिप्लवार्था इति चेत्, न, विशेषितत्वात् ॥ २३ ॥
pāriplavārthā iti cet, na, viśeṣitatvāt || 23 ||
pāriplavārthāḥ—For the purpose of Pariplavas; iti cet—if it be said; na—not so; viśeṣitatvāt—on account of (certain stories alone) being specified.
23. If it be said (that the stories that occur in the Upanishads are) for the purpose of Pariplavas, (we say) not so, because (certain stories alone) are specified (by the Sruti for this purpose).
In the Aswamedha sacrifice, which lasts for one year, the sacrificer and his family are expected to hear at intervals the recital of certain stories. These are known as Pariplavas, and form part of the ritualistic acts. The question is whether Upanishadic stories also serve this purpose, in which case they become part of the rites, and this means that the whole of Jnanakanda becomes subservient to Karma-kanda. The stories referred to are those relating to Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi, Pratardana and so on, which we find in the Brihadaranyaka, Kaushitaki and other Upanishads.
This Sutra denies that they serve the purpose of Pariplavas, for the scripture specifies the stories that are meant for this purpose. Any and every story cannot serve this purpose. Upanishadic stories are not mentioned in this category.