तमन्वगच्छतां तौ च क्षुधितौ श्रमकर्शितौ । भार्यापती मुनिश्रेष्ठस्तावेती नावलोकयत्
tam anvagacchatāṃ tau ca kṣudhitau śramakarśitau | bhāryāpatī muniśreṣṭhas tāv etī nāvalokayat ||
ৰজা-ৰাণী ক্ষুধাত কাতৰ আৰু শ্ৰমত ক্ষীণ হ’লেও মুনিৰ পিছে পিছে গ’ল; কিন্তু সেই মুনিশ্ৰেষ্ঠই দম্পতিলৈ চকু তুলি চাবলৈও নাহিল।
भीष्म उवाच
The verse underscores ascetic detachment and the testing of seekers: a great sage may remain outwardly indifferent, compelling those who approach him to cultivate humility, patience, and endurance rather than expecting immediate acknowledgment or comfort.
A husband and wife—identified in context as a royal couple—follow behind a foremost sage despite hunger and exhaustion. The sage, however, does not even look back at them, indicating his strict austerity and emotional restraint.