Shloka 59
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
अथापश्यन् सुपीनांसपाणिपादमुखोदरम् । परिव्रजन्तं स्थूलांगं परिव्राजं शुना सह
athāpaśyan supīnān sa-pāṇi-pāda-mukha-udaram | parivrajantaṁ sthūlāṅgaṁ parivrājaṁ śunā saha ||
ビーシュマは語った。「そのとき彼ら仙人は、犬を伴ってあちらこちらを歩き回る遊行の出家者を見た。身体はたいへんふくよかで、肩、手、足、顔、腹など、あらゆる肢体が端正で均整が取れていた。この場面は道徳的な対照を用意する。すなわち、出離の外相や肉体の美しさだけでは内なる規律は証されず、苦行者の生における真のダルマとは何かを吟味せよと物語は促すのである。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse prepares an ethical lesson: external markers—such as the status of a renunciant or a pleasing, well-formed body—are not sufficient evidence of inner restraint and dharma. True righteousness is assessed by conduct, discipline, and intention rather than appearance.
A group of sages notice a wandering mendicant moving about with a dog. He is described as stout yet well-proportioned in all limbs. This descriptive moment introduces a character whose later actions or examination will clarify the standards of genuine renunciation.