Shloka 13
गालवस्य विषादः तथा विष्णुप्रयाणम्
Gālava’s Despair and Resolve to Seek Viṣṇu
भक्तं प्रगृह्म मूर्ध्ना वै बाहुभ्यां संशितव्रत: । स्थित: स्थाणुरिवाभ्याशे निश्चेष्टो मार्ताशन:,कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले विश्वामित्रने दोनों हाथोंसे उस भोजनपात्रको थामकर माथेपर रख लिया और आश्रमके समीप ही ढूँठे पेड़की भाँति वे निश्वेष्ट खड़े रहे। उस अवस्थामें केवल वायु ही उनका आहार था
bhaktaṃ pragṛhya mūrdhnā vai bāhubhyāṃ saṃśitavrataḥ | sthitaḥ sthāṇur ivābhyāśe niśceṣṭo mārutāśanaḥ ||
Nārada said: Having taken up the offered food with both arms, the austere sage—firm in his vows—placed it upon his head. Near the hermitage he stood motionless, like a tree-stump, sustaining himself only on the wind. The scene underscores severe self-restraint: even when food is obtained, the vow-bound ascetic subordinates bodily need to disciplined resolve.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas and vow-discipline: true restraint is shown not merely by lacking food, but by mastering desire even when food is available, placing dharma and self-control above bodily impulse.
Nārada describes Viśvāmitra receiving food, lifting it reverently to his head, and then standing near the hermitage utterly motionless like a stump, living only on air—an image of extreme ascetic resolve.