Shloka 226
अहिंसा-प्रधान धर्मविचारः
Ahiṃsā as the Superior Dharma: Practical and Scriptural Reasoning
तस्थौ दार्विव निश्चेष्टा प्रजानां हितकाम्यया । तत्पश्चात् वह महाभागा ब्रह्मकन्या गंगाजीके किनारे और केवल मेरुपर्वतपर गयी। वहाँ प्रजावर्गके हितकी इच्छासे वह काठकी भाँति निश्चेष्ट खड़ी रही
tasthau dārur iva niśceṣṭā prajānāṁ hitakāmyayā | tatpaścāt sā mahābhāgā brahmakanyā gaṅgā jīke kināre aura kevala meruparvatapara gayī | tatra prajāvarge hitakī icchāse sā kāṣṭhavat niśceṣṭā khaḍī rahī |
Wishing for the welfare of all beings, she stood motionless like a piece of wood. Thereafter that illustrious one—the Brahmā-born maiden, Gaṅgā—went to the bank of the river Gaṅgā and then to Mount Meru alone. There too, intent on the good of the community of creatures, she remained standing, still and unmoving like timber.
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights lokahita—acting from a desire for the welfare of all beings—expressed through unwavering self-control. The image of standing motionless like wood suggests disciplined restraint and firm resolve undertaken not for personal gain but for the good of the world.
Bhīṣma describes Gaṅgā, the divine maiden, going to sacred/cosmic locations (the Gaṅgā’s bank and Mount Meru) and remaining there motionless, as if in austerity or concentrated resolve, motivated by concern for the welfare of living beings.