Shloka 5
कलौ धर्मसुलभता — व्यासोपाख्यानम् एवं संकीर्तन-प्रधानता
स्नानावसानं ते तस्य प्रतीक्षन्तो महर्षयः तस्थुस् तटे महानद्यास् तरुषण्डम् उपाश्रिताः
snānāvasānaṃ te tasya pratīkṣanto maharṣayaḥ tasthus taṭe mahānadyās taruṣaṇḍam upāśritāḥ
Awaiting the completion of his sacred bathing, the great sages stood upon the bank of the mighty river, taking refuge in a grove of trees.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Kali-yuga characteristics and the logic of praise/blame in the age of dissolution
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Humility and patience before a realized teacher are prerequisites for receiving subtle instruction.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Cultivate attentive waiting—create quiet time and mental stillness before study or spiritual counsel rather than demanding immediate answers.
Vishishtadvaita: Approaching the guru as a means of grace aligns with dependence (śeṣatva) on higher guidance, central to Vaiṣṇava praxis.
Bhakti Type: shanta
FAQs
In this verse, snāna functions as a marker of dharmic discipline—an outward act of purity that frames the sages’ conduct and the sacred setting of the narrative.
By depicting maharishis calmly waiting together in a sacred riverside grove, the dialogue underscores the steadiness of rishis as preservers of dharma even as the age trends toward disorder.
Though Vishnu is not named in this line, the scene supports a core Purāṇic theme: dharmic order is upheld through sacred practice and wise conduct, ultimately grounded in Vishnu’s sovereignty over cosmic order.