Shloka 24
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
समुद्रगामिनी सरिताओ! पृथ्वीपर या स्वर्गमें मैं किसीका भी ऐसा कोई विज्ञान नहीं देखती, जिसे उसने अकेले ही--दूसरोंका सहयोग लिये बिना ही सिद्ध कर लिया हो, इसीलिये मैं आपलोगोंसे सादर सलाह लेती हूँ ।।
samudragāminī saritaḥ! pṛthvīpar vā svargamadhye vāhaṁ kasyāpi tādṛśaṁ vijñānaṁ na paśyāmi, yat tenaikenaiva—anyasahāyyam vinā—siddhaṁ kṛtam; tasmād ahaṁ yuṣmābhyaḥ sādaraṁ mantraṁ pṛcchāmi. evaṁ sarvāḥ saricchreṣṭhāḥ pṛṣṭāḥ puṇyatamāḥ śivāḥ; tato devanadī gaṅgā niyuktā pratipūjyaca.
「おお海へと注ぐ河川よ。地上であれ天上であれ、他者の助けを借りずに、ただ独りで真の知や成就を完全に成し遂げた者を、わたしは見ない。ゆえに、敬意をもって汝らの助言を求める。」ウマーがこの問いを、吉祥にして至聖、諸河の最勝たるすべての河に示すと、彼女らは答えるため、天なる河ガンガーを礼敬し、発言者として任じた。
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that meaningful knowledge and successful accomplishment are rarely achieved in isolation; humility and the willingness to seek counsel and cooperation are ethical strengths, not weaknesses.
Umā addresses the ocean-bound rivers, stating she has not seen any achievement perfected without others’ help, and asks them for advice. The assembled sacred rivers then honor Gaṅgā and appoint her to give the response.