Shloka 11
Nārada’s Exempla of Tapas and Assurance to Dhṛtarāṣṭra (नारदोपदेशः—तपःसिद्ध्युदाहरणम्)
प्राधीतद्विजघोषैश्न क्वचित् क्वचिदलंकृतम् । फलमूलसमाहारैर्महद्धिश्वोपशोभितम्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: prādhītadvijaghoṣaiś ca kvacit kvacid alaṅkṛtam | phalamūlasamāhārair mahadbhir eva upaśobhitam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Di beberapa tempat, permukiman pertapaan itu dihiasi oleh lantunan mendalam para dvija yang tekun dalam swādhyāya (studi Weda). Ia juga semakin elok oleh para mahātmā yang hidup dari buah dan umbi yang mereka kumpulkan—sehingga kesucian dan kemuliaan āśrama-āśrama itu kian bertambah.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed through disciplined learning (svādhyāya/Vedic recitation) and restrained living (subsisting on fruits and roots). Ethical excellence is shown not by display, but by self-control, simplicity, and the sustaining presence of sacred study.
The narrator describes the atmosphere of the hermitages: in different places one hears the grave sound of brāhmaṇas reciting their studies, and one sees great ascetics living on gathered fruits and roots. These features together make the āśramas appear especially beautiful and holy.