Shloka 31
Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
एवमुक्त: स राजेन्द्र राम: प्रहरतां वर: । अब्रवीत् प्राञ्जलिवर्क्यं पितृन् स गगने स्थितान्,राजेन्द्र! उनके ऐसा कहनेपर योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ परशुरामने हाथ जोड़कर आकाशमें खड़े हुए उन पितरोंसे कहा--'पितृगण! यदि आपलोग मुझपर प्रसन्न हैं और यदि मैं आपका अनुग्रहपात्र होऊकँ तो मैं आपका कृपा-प्रसाद चाहता हूँ। पुनः मेरी तपस्या पूरी हो जाय
evam uktaḥ sa rājendra rāmaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ | abravīt prāñjalir vākyaṃ pitṝn sa gagane sthitān ||
Thus addressed, O king, Rāma (Paraśurāma), the foremost among warriors, spoke with joined palms to his Pitṛs who stood in the sky. With reverence he sought their gracious favor, desiring their blessing so that his austerity might reach its fulfillment—showing that even the mightiest in battle submits to ancestral authority and spiritual discipline.
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and martial excellence are not sufficient by themselves; true dharma includes reverence, humility, and seeking the sanction of one’s ancestors and spiritual discipline. The verse highlights that ethical authority and inner purification (tapas) guide even a great warrior.
After being addressed, Paraśurāma respectfully folds his hands and speaks to his Pitṛs who appear in the sky, requesting their favor and blessing so that his austerities may be completed successfully.