Shloka 12
Vyāsa’s Boon-Offer and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Remorse in the Forest Assembly (आश्रमवासिक पर्व, अध्याय ३६)
आततस्थे स तपस्तीव्रं पिता तव तपोधन: । वीटां मुखे समाधाय वायुभक्षो5भवन्मुनि:,वहाँ जाकर तपस्याके धनी तुम्हारे ताऊने कठोर तपस्या आरम्भ की। वे मुँहमें पत्थरका टुकड़ा रखकर वायुका आहार करते और मौन रहते थे
ātatasthe sa tapastīvraṃ pitā tava tapodhanaḥ | vīṭāṃ mukhe samādhāya vāyubhakṣo 'bhavan muniḥ ||
Di sana, ayahmu—yang kaya akan daya tapa—menjalani pertapaan yang amat keras. Dengan sebutir batu kecil diletakkan di mulutnya, sang resi hidup hanya dari udara dan memegang teguh laku diam.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of disciplined renunciation: by embracing austerity, silence, and minimal sustenance, one cultivates mastery over desire and steadiness of purpose—qualities praised as supports of dharma and inner purification.
Nārada describes how the person referred to as 'your father' undertakes harsh penance at that place: he puts a small stone in his mouth (signaling a vow of silence and restraint) and lives on air alone, practicing extreme ascetic discipline.