Shloka 9
Nāga-prādhānya-nāma-kathana
Principal Nāga Names Enumerated
प्रलीनान् स्वेष्विवाड्रेषु निराहारांस्तपो धनान् । क्लिश्यमानान् मन्दबलान् गोष्पदे सम्प्लुतोदके,उन्होंने आहार छोड़ रखा था। तपस्या ही उनका धन था। वे अपने अंगोंमें ही समाये हुए-से जान पड़ते थे। पानीसे भरे हुए गोखुरके लाँघनेमें भी उन्हें बड़ा क्लेश होता था। उनमें शारीरिक बल बहुत कम था
pralīnān sveṣv ivāḍreṣu nirāhārāṁs tapo-dhanān | kliśyamānān manda-balān goṣpade samplutodake ||
ସେମାନେ ଆହାର ତ୍ୟାଗ କରିଥିଲେ; ତପସ୍ୟା ହିଁ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଧନ। ସେମାନେ ନିଜ ଦେହରେ ଲୀନ ହୋଇଥିବା ପରି ଲାଗୁଥିଲେ। ଶାରୀରିକ ବଳ ଅତ୍ୟଳ୍ପ; ଏବଂ ଜଳରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଗୋଖୁର-ଚିହ୍ନ ପରି ଛୋଟ ଗହ୍ୱରକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଅତି କଷ୍ଟରେ ଦାଟିପାରୁଥିଲେ।
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ascetic ideal that true ‘wealth’ can be tapas—self-discipline and spiritual effort—while also underscoring the human cost of extreme austerity: physical weakness and suffering. It invites ethical reflection on renunciation, endurance, and the compassion due to those who undertake severe vows.
Śaunaka describes a group of ascetics in a severely emaciated state: they have given up food, appear withdrawn into themselves, and are so weak that even stepping over a tiny water-filled hoofprint is arduous. The description sets a tone of hardship and intense austerity within the surrounding episode.