Shloka 7
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
(पर्णाहार: कदाचिच्च नियमव्रतवानपि । कदाचिदुदकेनापि वर्तयन्ननुयन्त्रित: ।।
Bhīṣma uvāca — parṇāhāraḥ kadācic ca niyamavratavān api | kadācid udakena api vartayann anuyantritaḥ || śmaśāne tasya cāvāso gomāyoḥ sammato 'bhavat | janmabhūmy-anurodhāc ca nānyāvāsam arocayat ||
भीष्म बोले—व्रत-नियमों में तत्पर वह कभी पत्तों का आहार कर लेता और कभी केवल जल पीकर ही रह जाता; उसका जीवन संयम से बँध गया था। उसका निवास श्मशान-भूमि में ही स्वीकार हुआ; जन्मभूमि के अनुराग से उसे वही स्थान प्रिय था, और कहीं रहने की उसे रुचि न होती।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights tapas through regulated living: limiting food to leaves or even only water, and choosing an austere dwelling. The ethical point is mastery over desire and comfort—discipline (niyama) and vow (vrata) shaping a life of restraint.
Bhishma describes an ascetic figure whose habits are extremely restrained: he alternates between eating leaves and drinking only water, and he lives in a cremation-ground, accepting harsh surroundings. He remains there out of attachment to his birthplace and shows no interest in relocating.