Shloka 47
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
अथ प्रवृत्ते गान्धर्वे दिव्ये ऋषिरुपाविशत् । दिव्यं संवत्सरं तत्रारमतैष महातपा:,वह दिव्य नृत्य-गीत आरम्भ होनेपर महातपस्वी ऋषि अष्टावक्र भी दर्शक-मण्डलीमें आ बैठे और वे देवताओंके वर्षसे एक वर्षतक इसी आमोद-प्रमोदमें रमते रहे
atha pravṛtte gāndharve divye ṛṣir upāviśat | divyaṃ saṃvatsaraṃ tatrāramata eṣa mahātapāḥ ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Cuando comenzó la divina representación de los Gandharvas, el sabio tomó asiento entre los espectadores. Aquel gran asceta se deleitó allí durante un año entero de los dioses, absorto en la música y la danza celestiales—mostrando que aun un vidente disciplinado puede, sin apego, participar de un gozo refinado cuando es ordenado y auspicioso.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse suggests that disciplined life is not merely rejection of all pleasure; when enjoyment is orderly, elevated, and free from grasping, even a great ascetic may participate without compromising dharma.
As a divine Gandharva performance begins, a sage sits with the audience and remains there, delighting in the celestial music and dance for the duration of a divine year.