Shloka 33
सरस्वतीतीर्थानुक्रमः — बलरामस्य तीर्थयात्रा
Sarasvatī Tīrtha Itinerary — Balarāma’s Pilgrimage
पांसुग्रस्ते ततः कूपे विचिन्त्य सलिल॑ मुनि: । अग्नीन् संकल्पयामास होतूनात्मानमेव च,मुनिने उस बालूभरे कूपमें जलकी भावना करके उसीमें संकल्पद्वारा अग्निकी स्थापना की और होता आदिके स्थानपर अपने-आपको ही प्रतिष्ठित किया
pāṃsugraste tataḥ kūpe vicintya salilaṃ muniḥ | agnīn saṃkalpayāmāsa hotūn ātmānam eva ca ||
Then, in a well choked with sand, the sage contemplated the presence of water; and by the power of resolve he established the sacred fires there, appointing himself alone to serve as the officiating priest. The passage highlights inner discipline and self-reliant ritual integrity even when external supports are lacking.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that dharmic practice can be sustained through inner resolve (saṃkalpa) and disciplined self-reliance: when external resources or helpers are absent, a steadfast mind can uphold sacred duty without compromising integrity.
A sage comes upon a sand-filled well and, contemplating water within it, ritually ‘establishes’ the sacred fires there through mental resolve, appointing himself to fulfill the roles normally performed by multiple priests (such as the Hotṛ).