Shloka 3
Taḍāga-Phala and Vṛkṣāropaṇa
Merit of Ponds and Tree-Planting
ततः सूर्यो मधुरया वाचा तमिदमत्रवीत् | कृताञ्जलि्-प्ररूपी प्रणम्यैनं विशाम्पते
tataḥ sūryo madhurayā vācā tam idam atravīt | kṛtāñjali-prarūpī praṇamya enaṃ viśāmpate ||
Bhishma disse: Então o Sol, com voz doce e cortês, dirigiu-lhe estas palavras—com as mãos postas em reverência e inclinando-se diante dele, ó senhor dos povos.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds ethical communication and humility: even a powerful divine figure (Surya) speaks with gentleness and approaches with folded hands and a bow, modeling respectful conduct and the dharmic ideal of courteous speech.
Bhishma narrates a moment where Surya begins a discourse. The Sun-god respectfully approaches the person addressed (called 'viśāmpati', lord of the people) and then speaks, marking the start of divine instruction or counsel.