Shloka 39
आर्ता तामाह स मुनि: शैखावत्यो महातपा: । निःश्वसन्तीं सती बालां दुः:खशोकपरायणाम्,महातपस्वी शैखावत्य मुनिने वहाँ सिसकती हुई उस दुःखशोकपरायणा सती साध्वी आर्त अबलासे कहा--
ārtā tām āha sa muniḥ śaikhāvatyo mahātapāḥ | niḥśvasantīṃ satīṃ bālāṃ duḥkhaśokaparāyaṇām ||
Bhīṣma said: Seeing the young, virtuous woman of Śaikhāvatī sighing in distress—wholly absorbed in grief and sorrow—the great ascetic sage addressed her with compassion, responding to her afflicted state.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic compassion: a great ascetic does not ignore suffering but responds with timely speech meant to steady and guide one overwhelmed by grief.
Within Bhīṣma’s narration, a great sage associated with Śaikhāvatī sees a young virtuous woman sighing in anguish and, recognizing her distress, begins to address her—setting up counsel or instruction that follows.