Shloka 23
अध्याय ३३७ — ज्ञानमार्ग-वैविध्यप्रश्नः तथा व्यासस्य नारायणोद्भवकथा
Systems of Knowledge and Vyāsa’s Nārāyaṇa-Origin
मेरोरुत्तरभागे तु क्षीरोदस्यानुकूलतः । स देशो यत्र नस्तप्तं तप: परमदारुणम्
meror uttarabhāge tu kṣīrodasyānukūlataḥ | sa deśo yatra nas taptaṁ tapaḥ paramadāruṇam ||
Bhishma sprach: „Am nördlichen Abhang des Berges Meru, am Ufer des Milchozeans, liegt ein heiliger Landstrich, wo wir einst überaus strenge Askese übten. Dort standen wir, den Geist in einpunktiger Sammlung, wie Holzklötze auf einem einzigen Fuß tausend Jahre lang und vollzogen eine äußerst schwere Buße — einzig in der Sehnsucht, irgendwie die Schau des ewigen, segenspendenden Gottes der Götter, Nārāyaṇa, zu erlangen.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates disciplined austerity (tapas) and single-pointed intent as a means of spiritual attainment, presenting divine vision as the fruit of sustained self-control rather than worldly gain.
Bhishma describes a sacred place near Mount Meru and the Ocean of Milk where “we” performed extremely severe penance for a thousand years, aiming to obtain the sight of the eternal, boon-giving Lord Narayana.