Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
भो भो महर्षे धर्मज्ञ किमर्थ नृत्यते भवान् | हर्षस्थानं किमर्थ वा तवाद्य मुनिपुज़व
bho bho maharṣe dharmajña kimarthaṁ nṛtyate bhavān | harṣasthānaṁ kimarthaṁ vā tavādya munipuṅgava ||
Dijo Ghūlastya: «¡Oh venerable gran rishi, conocedor del dharma! ¿Por qué bailas? ¿Qué motivo de gozo te ha sobrevenido hoy, oh el más excelso entre los ascetas?»
घुलस्त्य उवाच
The verse highlights dharmic discernment about emotion and conduct: even a sage’s outward joy should have a meaningful cause, inviting reflection on what truly merits celebration and how inner states manifest in action.
A speaker named Ghūlastya addresses a revered sage, surprised to see him dancing, and asks what joyful event has occurred that would prompt such an unusual display from an ascetic.