Shloka 44
Vṛddha-kanyā-carita and Balarāma’s Kurukṣetra Inquiry (वृद्धकन्या-चरितम् / कुरुक्षेत्रफल-प्रश्नः)
कुर्वाणं संशितात्मानं स्वाध्यायमृषिसत्तमम् | तदनन्तर उनमेंसे कोई ऋषि प्रतिदिन स्वाध्याय करनेवाले शुद्धात्मा मुनिवर सारस्वतके पास आये ।। स गत्वा5<चष्ट तेभ्यश्व॒ सारस्वतमतिप्रभम्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | kurvāṇaṃ saṃśitātmānaṃ svādhyāyam ṛṣisattamam | tadanantaraṃ teṣāṃ madhyād eka ṛṣiḥ pratidinaṃ svādhyāyakaraṇaśīlaḥ śuddhātmā munivaraḥ sārasvatasyāntikaṃ jagāma || sa gatvā caṣṭa tebhyaḥ sārasvatam atiprabhām ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “At that time the foremost of sages, Sārasvata, disciplined in spirit and steadfast in daily sacred study, was engaged in his recitation. Thereafter, one of the sages—pure-souled and regular in daily svādhyāya—came to Sārasvata. Having gone to him, he then spoke to the others about the exceedingly radiant Sārasvata.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights svādhyāya (daily sacred study) and self-discipline as defining marks of a true sage: purity of mind and regular practice generate spiritual radiance and authority worthy of being reported to others.
While Sārasvata is engaged in daily recitation, a pure and regular practitioner among the sages approaches him; afterward, he informs the others about Sārasvata’s exceptional brilliance and stature.