Shloka 17
निर्वेदोपदेशः (Nirveda-Upadeśa) — Maṅki’s Dispassion and the Limits of Wealth-Seeking
इत्युक्त: प्रययौ राजन् गौतमो विगतक्लम: । फलान्यमृतकल्पानि भक्षयन् स यथेष्टत:
ity uktaḥ prayayau rājan gautamo vigataklamaḥ | phalāny amṛtakalpāni bhakṣayan sa yatheṣṭataḥ ||
Bhishma disse: “Ó rei, assim interpelado, Gautama partiu, com todo o cansaço dissipado. Pelo caminho, repousava em bosques perfumados por folhas de tejapāta, onde abundavam o sândalo e as árvores de aguru; e, comendo à vontade frutos doces como néctar, seguia adiante com rapidez.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ascetic ideal of contentment and resilience: once inner burden (klama) is removed—often through right counsel or resolution—one proceeds steadily, taking simple, natural sustenance without excess, and continuing one’s dharmic course.
After being addressed in the preceding context, the sage Gautama sets out. His fatigue has vanished; he rests briefly in fragrant groves and eats nectar-like fruits as needed, then continues his journey swiftly.