Mahabharata 9.40.246 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 40, Shloka 246
Baka Dālbhya at Avakīrṇa-tīrtha: Rāṣṭra-kṣaya and Release through Prasāda (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 40)
तथा स्थण्डिलशायी च ये चान्ये नियमा: पृथक् । वे कभी जल पीकर रहते
tathā sthaṇḍilaśāyī ca ye cānye niyamāḥ pṛthak |
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: “Demikian juga, mereka tidur di atas tanah yang kosong, dan mereka turut memerhati—masing-masing menurut bentuknya yang tersendiri—segala disiplin tapa yang lain. Ada kalanya mereka hidup dengan hanya meminum air; ada kalanya menjadikan angin sebagai makanan; dan ada kalanya mengunyah daun-daun. Sentiasa mereka membentuk pelantar tanah seperti altar lalu tidur di atasnya, serta mematuhi satu demi satu niyama lain yang berkaitan dengan pertapaan.”
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores niyama—disciplined observance—as a means to cultivate inner control and detachment. Sleeping on bare ground symbolizes voluntary simplicity, training the mind to remain steady rather than ruled by comfort-seeking.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes a group (ascetics/observers of vows) practicing austerities: they sleep on the ground and follow various distinct disciplines. It functions as a descriptive aside emphasizing rigorous tapas within the epic’s broader moral landscape.
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