Shloka 59
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
अथापश्यन् सुपीनांसपाणिपादमुखोदरम् । परिव्रजन्तं स्थूलांगं परिव्राजं शुना सह
athāpaśyan supīnān sa-pāṇi-pāda-mukha-udaram | parivrajantaṁ sthūlāṅgaṁ parivrājaṁ śunā saha ||
Dijo Bhishma: “Entonces aquellos sabios vieron a un renunciante errante, acompañado de un perro, que iba de un lado a otro. Su cuerpo era muy corpulento; sus hombros, manos, pies, rostro, vientre y demás miembros eran todos hermosos y bien proporcionados. La escena prepara un contraste moral: los signos externos de renuncia, e incluso la belleza física, no certifican por sí solos la disciplina interior; el relato invita a examinar qué es el verdadero dharma en la vida ascética.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse prepares an ethical lesson: external markers—such as the status of a renunciant or a pleasing, well-formed body—are not sufficient evidence of inner restraint and dharma. True righteousness is assessed by conduct, discipline, and intention rather than appearance.
A group of sages notice a wandering mendicant moving about with a dog. He is described as stout yet well-proportioned in all limbs. This descriptive moment introduces a character whose later actions or examination will clarify the standards of genuine renunciation.