Shloka 26
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
बुद्ध्या विनयसम्पन्ना सर्वधर्मविशारदा । सस्मितं बहुबुद्धयाढद्या गज़ा वचनमब्रवीत्
buddhyā vinaya-sampannā sarva-dharma-viśāradā | sa-smitaṁ bahu-buddhyāḍhyā gaṅgā vacanam abravīt | pāvitrī manda-mandaṁ hasantī gaṅgā girirāja-kumārīṁ umādevīm uvāca ||
分別と謙譲を備え、あらゆるダルマに通暁する聖なるガンガー――知恵豊かな彼女は――やわらかな微笑みをもって語った。清らかで吉祥なる言葉により、山王の娘ウマーデーヴィーに呼びかけ、正しい行いに根ざした、静かで恐れを払う助言によって導こうとするかのようであった。
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical ideal that true authority in dharma is marked by both buddhi (clear discernment) and vinaya (humility). Wisdom is presented as gentle, purifying, and guidance-oriented—spoken with composure rather than harshness.
Within Maheśvara’s narration, Gaṅgā—described as holy, intelligent, and learned in dharma—smiles softly and begins speaking to Umādevī (Pārvatī), setting up an instructive exchange on righteous conduct.