Shloka 58
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
भीष्म उवाच अथात्रिप्रमुखा राजन् वने तस्मिन् महर्षय: । व्यचरन् भक्षयन्तो वै मूलानि च फलानि च,भीष्मजी कहते हैं--राजन्! उन दिनों वे अत्रि आदि महर्षि उस वनमें फल-मूलका आहार करते हुए घूमा करते थे
bhīṣma uvāca | athātripramukhā rājan vane tasmin maharṣayaḥ | vyacaran bhakṣayanto vai mūlāni ca phalāni ca ||
Bhishma said: “O King, at that time the great sages—led by Atri—wandered in that forest, sustaining themselves on roots and fruits.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ascetic ideal of self-restraint and contentment: great sages live simply, taking only what nature offers (roots and fruits), embodying dharma through moderation and non-attachment.
Bhishma continues his account to the king, describing how Atri and other sages moved about in a particular forest, maintaining themselves on forest produce—roots and fruits—indicating a hermit-like mode of life.