Shloka 16
Adhyāya 325: Nārada in Śvetadvīpa—Stotra to the Nirguṇa Mahātman
पितुर्वचनमाज्ञाय तमेवार्थ विचिन्तयन् । अध्यानं सो5तिचक्राम खेचर: खे चरज्निव
pitur vacanam ājñāya tam evārthaṁ vicintayan | adhyānaṁ so ’ticakrāma khecaraḥ khe carann iva ||
ビーシュマは言った。「父の命を悟り、これを受け入れると、彼はただその目的のみを思惟し続けた。旅路のすべてを徒歩で成し遂げ、天空を翔ける鳥が空を自在に、しかも揺るぎなく進むように、彼もまた大地を自由に確かに歩み通した—規律ある服従と、知るべき・為すべき事への不動の専心を示して。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as disciplined obedience to a rightful parental command, coupled with single-pointed reflection on one’s purpose. Ethical steadiness is shown not by display, but by sustained, humble effort (walking the whole way) and unwavering focus.
A person, having understood his father’s instruction, sets out and completes the journey on foot while continually contemplating the intended objective. His movement over the earth is compared to a bird’s effortless roaming in the sky, emphasizing freedom of movement joined with inner discipline.