Shloka 38
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
ततस्तत्र महानासीद् ब्राह्मण: संशितव्रत:ः । शैखावत्यस्तपोवृद्धः शास्त्रे चारण्यके गुरु: ३८ ।।
tatastatra mahān āsīd brāhmaṇaḥ saṁśitavrataḥ | śaikhāvatyas tapovṛddhaḥ śāstre cāraṇyake guruḥ || 38 ||
তখন সেই আশ্রমে কঠোর ব্রতপালনকারী এক মহান ব্রাহ্মণ বাস করতেন। তিনি ‘শৈখাবত্য’ নামে প্রসিদ্ধ—তপস্যায় পরিপক্ব, এবং শাস্ত্র ও আরণ্যক-বিদ্যার গুরু।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds the ideal of a guru whose authority rests on disciplined vows (vrata), austerity (tapas), and mastery of sacred learning (śāstra and Āraṇyaka). Ethical leadership is grounded in self-restraint and transmission of right knowledge.
Bhīṣma describes a particular hermitage where an eminent brāhmaṇa named Śaikhāvatya resides. The description introduces him as a venerable ascetic-teacher, setting the stage for counsel or instruction associated with that āśrama.