Shloka 4
प्रतीप–गङ्गा संवादः तथा शंतनु–गङ्गा विवाहशर्तिः
Pratīpa and Gaṅgā; Śaṃtanu’s marriage condition
स्ववीर्यजीवी वृजिनान्निवृत्तो दाता परेभ्यो न परोपतापी । तादृड़मुनि: सिद्धिमुपैति मुख्यां वसन्नरण्ये नियताहारचेष्ट:,वानप्रस्थ मुनि वनमें निवास करे। आहार और विहारको नियमित रखे। अपने ही पराक्रम एवं परिश्रमसे जीवन-निर्वाह करे, पापसे दूर रहे। दूसरोंको दान दे और किसीको कष्ट न पहुँचावे। ऐसा मुनि परम मोक्षको प्राप्त होता है
svavīryajīvī vṛjinān nivṛtto dātā parebhyo na paropatāpī | tādṛṅ munīḥ siddhim upaiti mukhyāṁ vasan araṇye niyatāhāraceṣṭaḥ ||
A forest-dwelling sage should live by his own strength and honest effort, turning away from sin. He should be generous to others and never cause them pain. Living in the wilderness with disciplined food and conduct, such a muni attains the highest fulfillment—supreme liberation.
अद्टक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines the ethical discipline of a forest-ascetic: live by one’s own effort, avoid sin, give to others, do not harm anyone, and regulate food and conduct; such a life leads to the highest spiritual attainment (moksha).
Aṣṭaka is describing the ideal qualities and practices of a muni living in the forest (vanaprastha/ascetic mode), presenting a normative teaching on how such a person should live and what fruit that discipline yields.