Shloka 68
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
भीष्म उवाच अथ दृष्टवा परिव्राट् स तान् महर्षीन् शुना सह । अभिगम्य यथान्यायं पाणिस्पर्शमभथाचरत्
bhīṣma uvāca atha dṛṣṭvā parivrāṭ sa tān maharṣīn śunā saha | abhigamya yathānyāyaṃ pāṇisparśam athācarat ||
Bhishma berkata: “Kemudian, melihat para resi agung itu, sang pengembara-pertapa—bersama seekor anjing—mendekati mereka dan, sesuai tata krama asketis yang semestinya, memberi hormat dengan menyentuh tangan mereka.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is upheld through proper ācāra (disciplined conduct): even a wandering renunciant should show due reverence to great sages by following established norms of respectful greeting.
A wandering ascetic arrives with a dog, sees a group of great seers, approaches them, and greets them according to proper custom by touching their hands.