Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
मोक्षधर्म समास्थातुमिच्छेयं भगवन्नहम् । तस्य तद् वचन श्रुत्वा उपदेशं चकार सः
mokṣadharma samāsthātum iccheyaṁ bhagavann aham | tasya tad vacanaṁ śrutvā upadeśaṁ cakāra saḥ ||
ദേവലൻ പറഞ്ഞു—“ഭഗവൻ! ഞാൻ മോക്ഷധർമ്മത്തിൽ നിലകൊള്ളാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു.” അവന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ കേട്ടപ്പോൾ (ജൈഗീഷവ്യൻ) ഉപദേശം നൽകി.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse frames mokṣa-dharma as a deliberate commitment: liberation is approached through consciously adopting a disciplined way of life, and it is transmitted through upadeśa—authoritative instruction given in response to sincere seeking.
A seeker addresses a revered figure as “Bhagavan,” expressing the wish to undertake mokṣa-dharma. Upon hearing this request, the teacher responds by giving a formal instruction, marking a transition from dialogue to doctrinal guidance.