Shloka 39
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
आर्ता तामाह स मुनि: शैखावत्यो महातपा: । निःश्वसन्तीं सती बालां दुः:खशोकपरायणाम्,महातपस्वी शैखावत्य मुनिने वहाँ सिसकती हुई उस दुःखशोकपरायणा सती साध्वी आर्त अबलासे कहा--
ārtā tām āha sa muniḥ śaikhāvatyo mahātapāḥ | niḥśvasantīṃ satīṃ bālāṃ duḥkhaśokaparāyaṇām ||
Bhishma berkata: Melihat wanita muda yang suci dari Śaikhāvatī menghela nafas dalam kesengsaraan—tenggelam sepenuhnya dalam dukacita dan kesedihan—resi pertapa agung itu menegurnya dengan belas kasihan, menyahut keadaan dirinya yang teraniaya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic compassion: a great ascetic does not ignore suffering but responds with timely speech meant to steady and guide one overwhelmed by grief.
Within Bhīṣma’s narration, a great sage associated with Śaikhāvatī sees a young virtuous woman sighing in anguish and, recognizing her distress, begins to address her—setting up counsel or instruction that follows.