Shloka 56

Aṣṭāvakra and the Woman: Disclosure, Permission, and Marital Resolution (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय २२)

Devanagari script

व्यतीतां रजनीं कृत्स्नां नाजानात्‌ स महाव्रतः । उसने मुनिके लिये विधिपूर्वक सम्पूर्ण दिव्य सामग्री प्रस्तुत की। वे महाव्रतधारी मुनि उसके दिये हुए कुछ-कुछ गरम होनेके कारण सुखदायक जलसे नहाकर उसके हाथोंके सुखद स्पर्शसे सेवित होकर इतने आनन्दविभोर हो गये कि कब सारी रात बीत गयी? इसका उन्हें ज्ञान ही नहीं हुआ

Transliteration

vyatītāṁ rajanīṁ kṛtsnāṁ nājānāt sa mahāvrataḥ |

Translation

Bhishma said: The great-vowed sage did not even realize that the entire night had passed. Having been duly served with all the proper, excellent requisites—bathed in pleasantly warm water and attended with the soothing touch of the host—he became so absorbed in contentment that the passage of time escaped his notice.

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'vyatītām', 'definition': 'passed, elapsed (feminine accusative singular of vyatīta)'}, {'term': 'rajanīm', 'definition': 'night'}, {'term': 'kṛtsnām', 'definition': 'entire, whole'}, {'term': 'na ajānāt (nājānāt)', 'definition': 'did not know, did not perceive'}, {'term': 'saḥ', 'definition': 'he'}, {'term': 'mahāvrataḥ', 'definition': 'one of great vows

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma (speaker)
• mahāvrataḥ muni (great-vowed sage)
• rajanī (night)
• warm water for bathing (implied by narrative gloss)
• divine/choice hospitality materials (implied by narrative gloss)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores atithi-dharma: careful, respectful hospitality and selfless service can become a moral act so complete that it brings deep peace to the guest; dharma is expressed through attentive care, not merely through ritual or speech.

What is happening in the narrative?

A great-vowed sage is being properly hosted—provided with suitable requisites and comfort (such as a warm bath and gentle attendance). He becomes so pleased and absorbed that he does not notice the whole night passing.