Shloka 45
Vṛddha-kanyā-carita and Balarāma’s Kurukṣetra Inquiry (वृद्धकन्या-चरितम् / कुरुक्षेत्रफल-प्रश्नः)
स्वाध्यायममरप्रख्यं कुर्वाणं विजने वने । फिर वहाँसे जाकर उन्होंने सब महर्षियोंको बताया कि “देवताओंके समान अत्यन्त कान्तिमान् एक सारस्वत मुनि हैं, जो निर्जन वनमें रहकर सदा स्वाध्याय करते हैं” ।। ततः सर्वे समाजम्मुस्तत्र राजन् महर्षय:
svādhyāyam amaraprakhyaṃ kurvāṇaṃ vijane vane | tataḥ sarve samājamus tatra rājan maharṣayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “There is a sage of the Sarasvatī lineage, radiant like the gods, who dwells in a lonely forest and is constantly engaged in self-recitation and sacred study.” Hearing this report, O King, all the great seers then gathered together there—drawn by reverence for learning and the quiet power of disciplined austerity.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights svādhyāya—disciplined sacred study—as a source of inner radiance and spiritual authority. Godlike brilliance is presented not as mere birthright but as the fruit of sustained practice in solitude, suggesting that learning and self-discipline are central supports of dharma.
A report is given about a Sārasvata sage living in a deserted forest, continually engaged in svādhyāya. On hearing of him, the assembled great seers proceed to gather there, indicating collective respect for a powerful ascetic-scholar and setting up a meeting or consultation around him.