Shloka 18
Bhṛgu–Bharadvāja-saṃvāda: Vānaprastha-parivrājaka-ācāra, Abhaya-dharma, and Lokānāṃ Vibhāga (Śānti-parva 185)
तेन तज्जलमादत्तं जरयत्यग्निमारुतौ । आहारपरिणामाच्च स्नेहो वृद्धिश्व जायते
tena taj jalam ādattaṃ jarayaty agnimārutau | āhārapariṇāmāc ca sneho vṛddhiś ca jāyate ||
तेन तज्जलमादत्तं जरयत्यग्निमारुतौ । आहारपरिणामाच्च स्नेहो वृद्धिश्च जायते ॥
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
Right assimilation is the basis of strength and growth: what is taken in (āhāra) must be properly transformed (pariṇāma) by inner forces (agni and vāyu). When digestion/processing is correct, it becomes nourishing ‘sneha’ and results in increase (vṛddhi).
In a didactic exchange in Śānti Parva, Bharadvāja uses a botanical-physiological analogy: a tree draws water through its roots, and internal ‘fire and wind’ process it; from that processed nourishment the tree becomes supple and grows.