Shloka 13
Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
चिन्ता सुमहती जाता मुनि दृष्टवा महाद्युतिम् नरेश्वर! एक दिन महातेजस्वी जैगीषव्य मुनिको देखकर महात्मा देवलके मनमें बड़ी भारी चिन्ता हुई ।। समास्तु समतिक्रान्ता बह्दयः पूजयतो मम
vaiśampāyana uvāca | cintā sumahatī jātā muniṃ dṛṣṭvā mahādyutim naraśvara | ekadā mahātejasvī jaigīṣavyo muniṃ dṛṣṭvā mahātmā devalakasya manasi baḍī bhārī cintābhavat || samāstu samatikrāntā bahvyaḥ pūjayato mama ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O king, when the great-splendoured sage was seen, a very great anxiety arose. Once, on seeing the exceedingly radiant sage Jaigīṣavya, the noble Devalaka was seized by heavy concern in his mind. For many years had passed while I continued to honour and serve him.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how encountering a truly radiant ascetic can provoke self-examination: even long years of reverence and service may feel insufficient when measured against genuine spiritual brilliance, urging humility and renewed commitment to dharma.
Vaiśampāyana narrates to the king that Devalaka, upon seeing the powerful sage Jaigīṣavya, becomes deeply anxious; the mention of many years passing while ‘I’ (the narrator within the episode) continued to honour him sets up a reflection on prolonged service and the unease it can bring when one confronts higher spiritual stature.