Shloka 47
Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
सिद्धा ऊचु शृणु देवल भूतार्थ शंसतां नो दृढव्रत
siddhā ūcuḥ śṛṇu devala bhūtārthaṁ śaṁsatāṁ no dṛḍhavrata
The Siddhas said: “Listen, Devala—O firm in vow—declare to us the true meaning of beings and existence.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds disciplined inquiry: those who are spiritually accomplished (Siddhas) seek a principled exposition of reality (bhūtārtha) from one who is steadfast in vows, implying that ethical and metaphysical truth is best approached through qualified instruction and attentive listening.
A group of Siddhas address the sage Devala and request that he explain to them the true import of existence—setting up a didactic exchange in which a respected ascetic authority is asked to articulate deeper truth.