Shloka 13
गालवस्य विषादः तथा विष्णुप्रयाणम्
Gālava’s Despair and Resolve to Seek Viṣṇu
भक्तं प्रगृह्म मूर्ध्ना वै बाहुभ्यां संशितव्रत: । स्थित: स्थाणुरिवाभ्याशे निश्चेष्टो मार्ताशन:
bhaktaṃ pragṛhya mūrdhnā vai bāhubhyāṃ saṃśitavrataḥ | sthitaḥ sthāṇur ivābhyāśe niśceṣṭo mārutāśanaḥ ||
ナーラダは語った。厳しい誓戒を守るその苦行者は、捧げられた食を両腕で受け取り、頭上に載せた。庵の近くで彼は切り株のように微動だにせず立ち、ただ風のみを糧として身を支えた。この光景は、苛烈な自己抑制の徳を示す。食が得られても、誓いに縛られた修行者は肉身の欲を規律ある決意の下に置くのである。
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas and vow-discipline: true restraint is shown not merely by lacking food, but by mastering desire even when food is available, placing dharma and self-control above bodily impulse.
Nārada describes Viśvāmitra receiving food, lifting it reverently to his head, and then standing near the hermitage utterly motionless like a stump, living only on air—an image of extreme ascetic resolve.