Shloka 3
ते5पश्यन् पुलिने तं वै विविक्ते नियतव्रतम् । समासीन निराहारं द्विजं जप्पपरायणम्
te’paśyan puline taṃ vai vivikte niyatavratam | samāsīnaṃ nirāhāraṃ dvijaṃ jappaparāyaṇam ||
ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਵੇਖਿਆ—ਗੋਮਤੀ ਦੇ ਕੰਢੇ ਇਕ ਇਕਾਂਤ ਥਾਂ ਤੇ ਵਰਤ-ਨਿਯਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਡੋਲ ਇਕ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣ ਨਿਰਾਹਾਰ ਬੈਠਾ ਮੰਤਰ-ਜਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਲੀਨ ਹੈ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic discipline: steadfast vows (vrata-niyama), fasting (nirāhāra), and inward devotion through mantra-repetition (japa). Ethical strength is shown as self-mastery pursued in solitude, not for recognition.
Some observers come upon a Brahmin sitting alone on a riverbank. He is fasting and absorbed in japa, indicating a life of regulated vows and spiritual practice, setting the stage for a teaching or encounter centered on ascetic merit and dharma.