Shloka 56
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
सतं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा त्रि: शैलं चोत्तरामुख: । समेन भूमिभागेन ययौ प्रीतिपुरस्कृत:,तीन बार उस पर्वतकी परिक्रमा करके वे उत्तराभिमुख हो समतल भूमिसे प्रसन्नतापूर्वक आगे बढ़े
sataṁ pradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā triḥ śailaṁ cottarāmukhaḥ | samena bhūmibhāgena yayau prītipuraskṛtaḥ ||
Setelah mengelilingi gunung itu tiga kali dengan penuh hormat, ia pun melangkah maju menghadap ke utara, meniti tanah yang rata, dengan sukacita dan niat bakti sebagai penuntun langkahnya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct expressed through reverence: honoring a sacred place or object by pradakṣiṇā (circumambulation) and proceeding with a composed, auspicious orientation (north-facing), suggesting disciplined devotion rather than haste or disregard.
A figure (referred to as ‘he’) completes three respectful circumambulations of a mountain and then continues his journey facing north, moving across level ground with a sense of joy and purposeful reverence.