Shloka 14
युधिष्ठिरस्य अर्जुनप्रेषण-युक्तिवर्णनम् | Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rationale for Sending Arjuna and Request to Dhaumya
दिव्यं वर्षमहस्नं हि शाकेन किल सुव्रता । आहारं सा कृतवती मासि मासि नराधिप,नरेश्वर! कहते हैं उत्तम व्रतका पालन करनेवाली उस देवीने एक हजार दिव्य वर्षोतक एक-एक महीनेपर केवल शाकका आहार किया था। देवीकी भक्तिसे प्रभावित होकर बहुत-से तपोधन महर्षि वहाँ आये। भारत! उस देवीने उन महर्षियोंका आतिथ्य-सत्कार भी शाकके ही द्वारा किया
divyaṃ varṣa-sahasraṃ hi śākena kila suvratā | āhāraṃ sā kṛtavatī māsi māsi narādhipa ||
Ghūlastya disse: “Ó rei, diz-se que a Deusa —firme em seu excelente voto— sustentou-se por mil anos divinos, mês após mês, tomando apenas folhas e verduras. Comovidos por sua devoção, muitos sábios ascetas vieram até lá; e essa Deusa também recebeu e honrou aqueles grandes ṛṣis com hospitalidade, oferecendo-lhes o mesmo alimento simples de folhas verdes.”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic discipline: steadfast austerity (a regulated, simple diet maintained over time) and the ethical duty of hospitality. True devotion is shown not only by personal restraint but also by honoring guests and sages with whatever one has, even if it is simple fare.
The speaker reports a tradition about a goddess who maintained a strict vow, living on leafy greens month after month for an immense span of divine time. Her devotion draws many ascetic seers to her, and she welcomes them respectfully, offering them the same simple food.