Shloka 8
Nāga-prādhānya-nāma-kathana
Principal Nāga Names Enumerated
अथापश्यदृषीन् हस्वानडुष्ठोदरवर्ष्मण: । पलाशवर्तिकामेकां वहत: संहतान् पथि,उन्होंने मार्गमें बहुत-से ऐसे ऋषियोंको देखा जो कदमें बहुत ही छोटे थे। उनका सारा शरीर अँगूठेके मध्यभागके बराबर था। वे सब मिलकर पलाशकी एक बाती (छोटी-सी टहनी) लिये आ रहे थे
atha apaśyad ṛṣīn hrasvān aṇuṣṭhodara-varṣmaṇaḥ | palāśa-vartikām ekāṁ vahataḥ saṁhatān pathi ||
Então, no caminho, ele viu um grupo de sábios de estatura diminuta — cada qual com um corpo não maior que a falange média de um polegar — avançando juntos e carregando um único raminho de palāśa, fino como um pavio.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that spiritual potency and dharmic purpose are independent of outward appearance; even beings of minute form can embody great tapas and act effectively, especially through unity.
The speaker reports a striking sight: many extremely small sages, each thumb-joint-sized, traveling together along the road while carrying a single palāśa twig used like a wick.