Shloka 17
निर्वेदोपदेशः (Nirveda-Upadeśa) — Maṅki’s Dispassion and the Limits of Wealth-Seeking
इत्युक्त: प्रययौ राजन् गौतमो विगतक्लम: । फलान्यमृतकल्पानि भक्षयन् स यथेष्टत:
ity uktaḥ prayayau rājan gautamo vigataklamaḥ | phalāny amṛtakalpāni bhakṣayan sa yatheṣṭataḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Thus addressed, O King, Gautama departed, his weariness entirely gone. Along the way he rested in groves fragrant with tejapāta leaves, where sandalwood and aguru trees were abundant; and eating, as he wished, fruits sweet as nectar, he moved swiftly onward.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ascetic ideal of contentment and resilience: once inner burden (klama) is removed—often through right counsel or resolution—one proceeds steadily, taking simple, natural sustenance without excess, and continuing one’s dharmic course.
After being addressed in the preceding context, the sage Gautama sets out. His fatigue has vanished; he rests briefly in fragrant groves and eats nectar-like fruits as needed, then continues his journey swiftly.