Shloka 38
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
ततस्तत्र महानासीद् ब्राह्मण: संशितव्रत:ः । शैखावत्यस्तपोवृद्धः शास्त्रे चारण्यके गुरु: ३८ ।।
tatastatra mahān āsīd brāhmaṇaḥ saṁśitavrataḥ | śaikhāvatyas tapovṛddhaḥ śāstre cāraṇyake guruḥ || 38 ||
Kemudian, di pertapaan itu tinggal seorang brāhmaṇa agung yang teguh dalam laku tapa dan ikrar. Ia dikenal sebagai Śaikhāvatya—seorang tua yang diperkaya oleh tapa, serta guru sejati dalam śāstra dan tradisi Āraṇyaka.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds the ideal of a guru whose authority rests on disciplined vows (vrata), austerity (tapas), and mastery of sacred learning (śāstra and Āraṇyaka). Ethical leadership is grounded in self-restraint and transmission of right knowledge.
Bhīṣma describes a particular hermitage where an eminent brāhmaṇa named Śaikhāvatya resides. The description introduces him as a venerable ascetic-teacher, setting the stage for counsel or instruction associated with that āśrama.