Shloka 49
Umā–Maheśvara-saṃvāda: Varṇa-bhraṃśa, Ācāra (Vṛtta), and Karmic Ascent/Decline
एकवस्त्र: शुचि: स्नात: श्रद्धान: समाहित: । सोमस्य रश्मय: पीत्वा महायज्ञफलं लभेत्
ekavastraḥ śuciḥ snātaḥ śraddhānaḥ samāhitaḥ | somasya raśmayaḥ pītvā mahāyajñaphalaṁ labhet ||
“Having bathed and become pure, wearing a single garment, endowed with faith and steady concentration, one should ‘drink’ the moon’s rays; by doing so, one attains merit equal to that of a great sacrifice.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That sincere faith, purity, and mental concentration in a simple observance can yield merit comparable to an elaborate great sacrifice; inner discipline and reverent intent are central to dharmic efficacy.
Bhishma is instructing on a vow-like practice: after bathing and becoming pure, one remains simply clothed and concentrated, metaphorically ‘drinking’ the moon’s rays, and thereby gains the fruit of a great yajña.