Shloka 76
Nārada–Vāyu–Śalmali Upākhyāna: Enmity with the Strong and the Primacy of Buddhi (नारद-वायु-शल्मलि उपाख्यानम्)
चरिष्यमाण इन्द्रोतं शौनकं संशितव्रतम् | राजन! यहाँ मैं जो इतिहास बता रहा हूँ, वह धर्मकी वृद्धि करनेवाला है। राजा जनमेजय अपने पाप-कर्मसे दग्ध होते और वनमें विचरते हुए कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले शुनकवंशी इन्द्रोत मुनिके पास जा पहुँचे
cariṣyamāṇa indrotaṃ śaunakaṃ saṃśitavratam | rājan! iha ahaṃ yo itihāsaṃ bravīmi sa dharmasya vṛddhi-karaḥ | rājā janamejayaḥ sva-pāpa-karmabhiḥ dagdhaḥ vane caran dṛḍha-vrata-parāyaṇaṃ śaunaka-vaṃśyaṃ indrotaṃ muniṃ samupāgamat ||
Bhishma said: “O King, the ancient account I am about to relate is one that strengthens dharma. King Janamejaya, scorched by the consequences of his own sinful deeds and wandering in the forest, came to the sage Indrota of the Shaunaka lineage, a man steadfast in austere vows.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage frames moral storytelling (itihāsa) as a means to strengthen dharma, and it highlights that wrongdoing leads to inner burning and suffering, prompting a seeker to approach a disciplined sage for guidance and possible atonement.
Bhishma introduces a dharma-enhancing story: King Janamejaya, afflicted by the results of sinful actions and roaming in the forest, goes to the vow-observant sage Indrota of the Shaunaka lineage.