Shloka 5
वृत्ति-सत्सङ्ग-दान-धर्म
Livelihood, Virtuous Association, and Ethics of Giving
पुरा मेरोर्महाराज शुड्ूं त्रैलोक्यपूजितम् । ज्योतिष्क॑ नाम सावित्रं सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्
purā meror mahārāja śṛṅgaṁ trailokya-pūjitam | jyotiṣkaṁ nāma sāvitraṁ sarva-ratna-vibhūṣitam ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Em tempos antigos, ó grande rei, havia um pico do monte Meru, venerado nos três mundos. Chamava-se Jyotiṣka, sagrado a Savitṛ (a divindade solar), e resplandecia, adornado com toda espécie de joias.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dharma-instruction through sacred geography: by invoking a universally revered, radiant, jewel-adorned summit dedicated to the solar principle (Savitṛ), Bhīṣma signals that the forthcoming account is grounded in cosmic order, purity, and auspicious authority—qualities a king should emulate in governance and conduct.
Bhīṣma begins an ancient exemplum by setting the scene on Mount Meru. He describes a famed summit called Jyotiṣka, honoured across the three worlds and associated with Savitṛ, preparing the listener for a mythic episode or instruction that will unfold from this sacred setting.