Shloka 80
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
वैशम्पायन उवाच सुसुक्ष्मं सत्त्वसंयुक्तं संयुक्त त्रिभिरक्षरै:
vaiśampāyana uvāca
susūkṣmaṃ sattvasaṃyuktaṃ saṃyuktaṃ tribhir akṣaraiḥ
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അത് അത്യന്തം സൂക്ഷ്മം, സത്ത്വസംബന്ധിതം, കൂടാതെ മൂന്നു അക്ഷരങ്ങളാൽ യുക്തമായി പ്രകടമാകുന്നു.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse points to a principle or teaching that is profoundly subtle yet grounded in sattva (clarity and purity), and it can be encapsulated in a concise, three-syllabled expression—suggesting that deep ethical or spiritual truth may be simple in form but difficult in realization.
Vaiśampāyana, as narrator, introduces or summarizes a key concept being discussed in the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and inner discipline, characterizing it as subtle, sattvic, and formulated in three syllables, likely as a compact maxim or sacred utterance.