Shloka 63
नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
अब्भक्षेवायुभक्षैश्ष पत्राहारैस्तथैव च | जितेन्द्रियैर्महा भागै: स्वर्गमार्गदिदृक्षुभि:,वहाँ कुछ तपस्वीलोग केवल जल पीकर रहते थे और कुछ लोग वायु पीकर। कितने ही केवल पत्ते चबाकर रहते थे। वे जितेन्द्रिय महाभाग स्वर्गलोकके मार्गका दर्शन करना चाहते थे
abbhakṣevāyubhakṣaiś ca patrāhārais tathaiva ca | jitendriyair mahābhāgaiḥ svargamārgadidṛkṣubhiḥ ||
Disse Bṛhadaśva: Ali havia ascetas que viviam apenas de água, e outros que se sustentavam do ar; alguns, do mesmo modo, viviam mastigando e subsistindo somente de folhas. Senhores de si e grandemente abençoados, buscavam contemplar o caminho que conduz ao céu.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas (austerity) and jitendriyatā (mastery over the senses) as disciplines aimed at higher spiritual goals. Ethical emphasis falls on restraint, simplicity, and intentional living, suggesting that inner control is valued as a means to transcend ordinary desires and pursue elevated states (symbolized by ‘the path to heaven’).
Bṛhadaśva describes a scene populated by ascetics practicing varying degrees of austerity—living on water, on air, or on leaves. Their shared motivation is the aspiration to perceive or attain the way to svarga, portraying the forest setting as a place where rigorous spiritual practices are undertaken.