Shloka 33
सरस्वतीतीर्थानुक्रमः — बलरामस्य तीर्थयात्रा
Sarasvatī Tīrtha Itinerary — Balarāma’s Pilgrimage
पांसुग्रस्ते ततः कूपे विचिन्त्य सलिल॑ मुनि: । अग्नीन् संकल्पयामास होतूनात्मानमेव च
pāṃsugraste tataḥ kūpe vicintya salilaṃ muniḥ | agnīn saṃkalpayāmāsa hotūn ātmānam eva ca ||
Kemudian, di sumur yang tersumbat pasir itu, sang resi merenungkan kehadiran air; dan dengan daya tekad (saṅkalpa) ia menegakkan api-api suci di sana, serta menetapkan dirinya sendiri sebagai imam pelaksana persembahan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that dharmic practice can be sustained through inner resolve (saṃkalpa) and disciplined self-reliance: when external resources or helpers are absent, a steadfast mind can uphold sacred duty without compromising integrity.
A sage comes upon a sand-filled well and, contemplating water within it, ritually ‘establishes’ the sacred fires there through mental resolve, appointing himself to fulfill the roles normally performed by multiple priests (such as the Hotṛ).