Shloka 38
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
ततस्तत्र महानासीद् ब्राह्मण: संशितव्रत:ः । शैखावत्यस्तपोवृद्धः शास्त्रे चारण्यके गुरु: ३८ ।।
tatastatra mahān āsīd brāhmaṇaḥ saṁśitavrataḥ | śaikhāvatyas tapovṛddhaḥ śāstre cāraṇyake guruḥ || 38 ||
तब उस आश्रम में कठोर व्रत का पालन करने वाले एक महान ब्राह्मण रहते थे। वे शैखावत्य नाम से प्रसिद्ध थे—तपस्या से वृद्ध, और शास्त्र तथा आरण्यक-विद्या के सद्गुरु।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds the ideal of a guru whose authority rests on disciplined vows (vrata), austerity (tapas), and mastery of sacred learning (śāstra and Āraṇyaka). Ethical leadership is grounded in self-restraint and transmission of right knowledge.
Bhīṣma describes a particular hermitage where an eminent brāhmaṇa named Śaikhāvatya resides. The description introduces him as a venerable ascetic-teacher, setting the stage for counsel or instruction associated with that āśrama.