Shloka 35
Indratīrtha–Ādityatīrtha: Balarāma’s Ritual Bathing, Dāna, and Sacred-Historical Recollections
वृत्त्यर्थ फलमूलानि समाहर्तु ययु: किल । “वहाँ पहुँचकर कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले वे महाभाग महर्षि जीवन-निर्वाहके निमित्त फल-मूल लानेके लिये वनमें गये ।।
vṛttyartha-phala-mūlāni samāhartu yayuḥ kila | teṣāṃ vṛttyarthināṃ tatra vasatāṃ himavad-vane ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: En busca del sustento, en verdad fueron a recoger frutos y raíces. Así, mientras aquellos ascetas—que habitaban en el bosque del Himālaya y sólo pretendían mantenerse con vida—se afanaban en reunir el sencillo alimento del monte, el relato subraya una existencia de disciplina y contención, donde se sobrevive sin codicia ni daño.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint in sustaining life: one should seek livelihood through simple, non-exploitative means, taking only what is necessary (fruits and roots) and maintaining discipline rather than indulgence.
The group living in the Himālaya forest goes out to gather fruits and roots to maintain themselves, indicating a setting of austere forest-dwelling and a routine of subsistence.