Shloka 55
Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
मोक्षधर्म समास्थातुमिच्छेयं भगवन्नहम् । तस्य तद् वचन श्रुत्वा उपदेशं चकार सः
mokṣadharma samāsthātum iccheyaṁ bhagavann aham | tasya tad vacanaṁ śrutvā upadeśaṁ cakāra saḥ ||
Devala berkata: “Wahai Bhagavan, aku ingin menegakkan diri dalam dharma yang menuntun pada mokṣa.” Mendengar ucapan itu, (Jaigīṣavya) pun memberikan ajaran.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames mokṣa-dharma as a deliberate commitment: liberation is approached through consciously adopting a disciplined way of life, and it is transmitted through upadeśa—authoritative instruction given in response to sincere seeking.
A seeker addresses a revered figure as “Bhagavan,” expressing the wish to undertake mokṣa-dharma. Upon hearing this request, the teacher responds by giving a formal instruction, marking a transition from dialogue to doctrinal guidance.