Shloka 34
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
ततः स भगवान् विप्र: समादिश्य नराधिपम् | सुष्वापैकेन पाश्वेन दिवसानेकविंशतिम्,उधर ब्रह्मर्षि भगवान् च्यवन राजाको सेवाका आदेश देकर इक्कीस दिनोंतक एक ही करवटसे सोते रह गये
tataḥ sa bhagavān vipraḥ samādiśya narādhipam | suṣvāpaikena pārśvena divasānekaviṃśatim ||
Alors ce vénérable brahmane-ṛṣi, après avoir instruit le roi, s’étendit et dormit sur un seul flanc pendant vingt et un jours.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas (austerity) and mastery over bodily comfort as marks of a true sage, and it implies that a righteous king should respect and follow the guidance of such spiritual authorities, placing dharma above personal convenience.
Bhishma describes how a revered brahmin-sage, after giving instructions to the king, undertakes a severe observance: he sleeps continuously for twenty-one days without changing his side, demonstrating extraordinary restraint and ascetic power.