Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 20
Trita in the Well (Udapāna-kathā) — Balarāma’s Tīrtha Observances
ऋच्विजश्नानय ध्वं वै शतशक्ष द्विजर्षभान् । शीघ्रगामी सेवको! तुम सरस्वतीके स्रोतकी ओर चलो और सैकड़ों श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणों तथा ऋत्विजोंको ले आओ' ।। एवं संदिश्य तु प्रेष्यानू बलदेवो महाबल:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ṛtvijaḥ snānayadhvaṃ vai śataśaḥ dvijarṣabhān | śīghragāmī sevakaḥ tvaṃ sarasvatyāḥ srotasaḥ oraṃ calāḥ, śatāni śreṣṭhabrāhmaṇān ṛtvijaś ca ānaya || evaṃ saṃdiśya tu preṣyān baladevo mahābalaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Have the officiating priests (ṛtvij) bathe, and bathe as well hundreds of Brahmins—bulls among the twice-born. You, swift-moving attendant, go at once toward the stream of the Sarasvatī and bring back hundreds of excellent Brahmins and ṛtviks.” Having thus instructed his messengers, the mighty Baladeva set the arrangements in motion.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic preparation for sacred acts: ritual purity (snāna), proper engagement of qualified ṛtviks and Brahmins, and prompt, disciplined service. Ethical emphasis lies in honoring Vedic procedure and respecting learned communities in religious undertakings.
Vaiśampāyana narrates Baladeva’s practical arrangements: he orders attendants to go to the Sarasvatī’s stream and quickly bring many eminent Brahmins and officiating priests, while ensuring ritual bathing—signaling preparations for a formal rite or observance.
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