Shloka 18
Adhyāya 270 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on saṃnyāsa; Bhīṣma on calculable time, tamas, and karma
Vṛtra–Uśanā exemplum begins
भरतश्रेष्ठ! वहाँ यक्षोंके देखते-देखते महातेजस्वी कुण्डधारने देवताओंके आगे धरतीपर माथा टेक दिया ।॥। ततस्तु देववचनान्मणि भद्रो महामना: । उवाच पतितं भूमौ कुण्डधार किमिष्यते,तब महामनस्वी मणिभद्रने देवताओंके कहनेसे पृथ्वीपर पड़े हुए उस मेघसे पूछा, “कुण्डधार! तुम क्या चाहते हो?”
bharataśreṣṭha! tatra yakṣāṇāṃ paśyatāṃ paśyatāṃ mahātejāḥ kuṇḍadhāraḥ devatānām agre pṛthivyāṃ mastakaṃ nyapatayat. tataḥ tu devavacanāt maṇibhadro mahāmanāḥ uvāca patitaṃ bhūmau kuṇḍadhāra kim iṣyate.
おお、バーラタ族の最勝者よ。ヤクシャたちの眼前で、光輝あるクンダダーラは神々の前に額を地に付けて拝伏した。すると神々の促しにより、大心のマニバドラが、地に伏す彼に問いかけた。「クンダダーラよ、何を求めるのか。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic etiquette: approaching higher powers with humility and restraint. Prostration signifies surrender of ego and readiness to state one’s request within the bounds of righteousness, under the guidance of divine authority.
Kuṇḍadhāra, described as radiant, bows down before the gods in the presence of the Yakṣas. Prompted by the gods, Maṇibhadra questions the prostrate Kuṇḍadhāra about what boon or request he seeks.