Shloka 10
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 178 — Royal Contestants Assemble; Cosmic Witnesses; The Bow Remains Unstrung
तं॑ तथा निश्चितात्मानं स महात्मा महातपा: । ऋषिर्त्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठो मैत्रावरुणिरन्त्यधी:
taṁ tathā niścitātmānaṁ sa mahātmā mahātapāḥ | ṛṣir brahmavidāṁ śreṣṭho maitrāvaruṇir antyadhīḥ ||
Seeing him thus firm in resolve and self-controlled, that great-souled, great-ascetic sage—Maitrāvaruṇi, foremost among the knowers of Brahman and possessed of subtle, penetrating insight—addressed him as was fitting.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast inner resolve and self-mastery are presented as ethically significant virtues, recognized and validated by a foremost sage (a knower of Brahman). The verse links moral firmness with spiritual maturity and authoritative discernment.
The Gandharva describes how a great ascetic sage, Maitrāvaruṇi—renowned for Brahman-knowledge and keen intellect—observes someone who is firmly resolved and self-controlled, setting up the sage’s ensuing response or instruction.