Shloka 8
तावाप्लुत्य यतात्मानौ कृतजप्यौ समासत: । नद्या: पुलिनमासाद्य सूक्ष्मकाज्चनवालुकम्,फिर उन दोनोंने गंगाजीमें गोते लगाकर मनको एकाग्र करके संक्षेपसे गायत्रीजपका कार्य पूर्ण किया। इसके बाद सूक्ष्म सुवर्णमयी बालुकासे भरे हुए सुन्दर गंगातटपर आकर वे दोनों बैठ गये और पुण्यात्मा पुरुषों, देवर्षियों तथा महर्षियोंके मुखसे सुनी हुई कथाएँ कहने-सुनने लगे
tāv āplutya yatātmānau kṛtajapyau samāsataḥ | nadyāḥ pulinam āsādya sūkṣmakāñcanavālukam ||
Bhishma said: Having bathed (by plunging) in the river, the two—self-controlled and with their prescribed recitation completed in brief—came to the riverbank, fine with golden-like sand. There they sat and began to tell and hear sacred accounts as they had learned from the mouths of virtuous men, divine seers, and great sages—thus grounding their conduct in purity, restraint, and the authority of transmitted wisdom.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic sequence: purification (bathing), inner discipline (mind-control), completion of sacred recitation (japa), and then learning through listening and dialogue with authoritative sources (virtuous people and seers). Ethical life is shown as rooted in both personal restraint and received wisdom.
Two individuals bathe in the river, concentrate their minds, complete their japa briefly, then go to the riverbank with fine golden-like sand, sit down, and engage in telling and hearing sacred stories known from holy men, divine seers, and great sages.