Shloka 19
Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
ततः स प्रविशन्नेव स्वमाश्रमपदं मुनि:
tataḥ sa praviśann eva svam āśramapadaṁ muniḥ, kāṣṭhabhūto ’śramapade vasati sma mahātapāḥ |
Kemudian, ketika sang resi melangkah masuk ke āśrama miliknya, dia melihat Jaigiṣavya sedang duduk di situ. Namun Jaigiṣavya tidak berbicara dengannya walau sedikit pun; pertapa agung itu tetap di āśrama, memegang diam yang keras—seakan-akan membatu. Adegan ini menonjolkan disiplin tapas dan daya etika pengekangan: diam di sini bukan sekadar ketiadaan kata, melainkan suatu nazar yang disengajakan, menguji kesabaran dan penguasaan diri sesiapa yang mendekat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas expressed as disciplined restraint: a deliberate silence (mauna) that cultivates inner control and tests the seeker’s patience and humility. Ethical strength is shown not only in speech and action, but also in the capacity to refrain.
Devala enters his hermitage and sees Jaigiṣavya seated there. Jaigiṣavya remains unmoving and uncommunicative, observing a strict, wood-like silence, and does not respond to Devala.