Shloka 72
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
बालादित्यवपु:प्रख्यै: पुष्करैरुपशोभिताम् । वैदूर्यवर्णसदृशै: पद्मपत्रैरथावृताम्
bhīṣma uvāca | bālādityavapuḥprakhyaiḥ puṣkarair upaśobhitām | vaidūryavarṇasadṛśaiḥ padmapatrair athāvṛtām |
Bhishma dit : Le lac était paré de lotus dont les corolles luisaient comme la teinte du jeune soleil du matin ; et, tout autour, il était encore couvert de feuilles de lotus étincelantes telles le vaidūrya (la gemme « œil-de-chat »). Le tableau évoque un lieu pur et de bon augure, signe de sérénité, de clarté et de l’atmosphère morale où l’on doit méditer le dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily sets an auspicious, serene atmosphere through luminous natural imagery. Such descriptions in the Anuśāsana Parva often frame ethical instruction: purity, clarity, and beauty in the environment mirror the inner clarity needed for understanding and practicing dharma.
Bhishma is describing a lake/pond scene: dawn-colored lotuses beautify it, and gem-like lotus-leaves spread over it. This functions as a vivid setting detail, preparing the listener for the moral and didactic discourse characteristic of this parva.