Shloka 59
अथापश्यन् सुपीनांसपाणिपादमुखोदरम् । परिव्रजन्तं स्थूलांगं परिव्राजं शुना सह
athāpaśyan supīnān sa-pāṇi-pāda-mukha-udaram | parivrajantaṁ sthūlāṅgaṁ parivrājaṁ śunā saha ||
अथापश्यन् सुपीनांसपाणिपादमुखोदरम् । परिव्रजन्तं स्थूलाङ्गं परिव्राजं शुना सह ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse prepares an ethical lesson: external markers—such as the status of a renunciant or a pleasing, well-formed body—are not sufficient evidence of inner restraint and dharma. True righteousness is assessed by conduct, discipline, and intention rather than appearance.
A group of sages notice a wandering mendicant moving about with a dog. He is described as stout yet well-proportioned in all limbs. This descriptive moment introduces a character whose later actions or examination will clarify the standards of genuine renunciation.