Shloka 43
Indratīrtha–Ādityatīrtha: Balarāma’s Ritual Bathing, Dāna, and Sacred-Historical Recollections
अनश्नन्त्या: पचन्त्याश्न शृण्वन्त्याश्व॒ कथा: शुभा: | दिनोपम: स तस्याथ कालो5तीत: सुदारुण:,“उस समय उसे परम पवित्र मनोहर एवं दिव्य कथाएँ सुनायी देने लगीं। वह बिना खाये ही बेर पकाती और मंगलमयी कथाएँ सुनती रही। इतनेमें ही बारह वर्षोकी वह भयंकर अनावृष्टि समाप्त हो गयी। वह अत्यन्त दारुण समय उसके लिये एक दिनके समान व्यतीत हो गया
anaśnantyāḥ pacantyāś ca śṛṇvantyāś ca kathāḥ śubhāḥ | dinopamaḥ sa tasyātha kālo 'tītaḥ sudāruṇaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Während sie ohne zu essen kochte (die Früchte) und glückverheißende Erzählungen vernahm, verging jene überaus harte Zeit für sie wie ein einziger Tag—bis die furchtbare Dürre endete.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfastness in hardship—sustained by śubha-kathā (uplifting, dharmic narratives) and self-restraint—can make even prolonged suffering feel bearable, as inner orientation transforms one’s experience of time and distress.
A woman endures a severe period (contextually a long drought) by fasting, preparing what little is available (berries), and listening to auspicious stories; through this disciplined, devotional focus, the dreadful time seems to pass like a single day until the calamity ends.