Shloka 7
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
स देव्या दर्शितः साक्षात् प्रीतास्मीति तदा किल । जप्यमावर्तयंस्तूष्णीं नस तां किज्चिदब्रवीत्
sā devyā darśitaḥ sākṣāt prītāsmīti tadā kila | japyam āvartayaṃs tūṣṇīṃ na sa tāṃ kiñcid abravīt ||
Bhīṣma said: Then, it is told, the goddess appeared to him directly and declared, “I am pleased with you.” Yet the brāhmaṇa, absorbed in silently repeating his sacred japa, continued his recitation and did not speak a single word to her.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfastness in vowed spiritual practice is itself a form of reverence. Even when a divine vision occurs, the practitioner’s disciplined focus and restraint (silence, continuity of japa) exemplify dharma grounded in self-control.
A brāhmaṇa engaged in silent mantra-repetition receives a direct appearance (sākṣāt darśana) of the goddess Sāvitrī, who announces her pleasure. Because he is absorbed in japa, he remains silent and does not speak to her.