Shloka 72
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
बालादित्यवपु:प्रख्यै: पुष्करैरुपशोभिताम् । वैदूर्यवर्णसदृशै: पद्मपत्रैरथावृताम्
bhīṣma uvāca | bālādityavapuḥprakhyaiḥ puṣkarair upaśobhitām | vaidūryavarṇasadṛśaiḥ padmapatrair athāvṛtām |
ಪ್ರಾತಃಕಾಲದ ಬಾಲಸೂರ್ಯನಂತೆ ಅರುಣವರ್ಣದಿಂದ ಹೊಳೆಯುವ ಕಮಲಗಳಿಂದ ಆ ಸರೋವರವು ಅಲಂಕರಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿತ್ತು; ವೈದೂರ್ಯಮಣಿಯಂತೆ ಕಾಂತಿಯುಳ್ಳ ಕಮಲಪತ್ರಗಳು ಅದನ್ನು ಸುತ್ತಲೂ ಆವರಿಸಿತ್ತು।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily sets an auspicious, serene atmosphere through luminous natural imagery. Such descriptions in the Anuśāsana Parva often frame ethical instruction: purity, clarity, and beauty in the environment mirror the inner clarity needed for understanding and practicing dharma.
Bhishma is describing a lake/pond scene: dawn-colored lotuses beautify it, and gem-like lotus-leaves spread over it. This functions as a vivid setting detail, preparing the listener for the moral and didactic discourse characteristic of this parva.