Shloka 22
Kurukṣetra–Sarasvatī Tīrtha-Māhātmya
Pilgrimage Merits and Sacred Geography
त॑ दृष्टवा नियमेनाथ स्वाध्यायाम्नायकर्शितम् | भीष्म कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठ मुनि: प्रीतमनाभवत्,कुरुकुलशिरोमणि भीष्मको नियम, स्वाध्याय तथा वेदोक्त कर्मोंके अनुष्ठानसे दुर्बल हुआ देख पुलस्त्य मुनि मन-ही-मन बड़े प्रसन्न हुए
taṁ dṛṣṭvā niyamena atha svādhyāyāmnāya-karśitam | bhīṣma kuru-kula-śreṣṭha muniḥ prītamanābhavat ||
Vendo Bhīṣma—o melhor da linhagem dos Kuru—enfraquecido pela observância rigorosa das regras, pelo peso disciplinado do svādhyāya (estudo e recitação védica) e pela prática dos atos prescritos, o sábio alegrou-se intimamente.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse commends disciplined observance (niyama) and faithful Vedic study (svādhyāya/āmnāya). Even when such practice causes physical hardship, it is portrayed as ethically admirable when aligned with dharma, eliciting the sage’s approval.
Nārada reports that a sage, upon seeing Bhīṣma weakened by rigorous vows and sustained Vedic study and ritual discipline, feels pleased within—signaling recognition of Bhīṣma’s steadfast commitment to sacred duty.