Shloka 2
एष मूलफलाहार: शीर्णपर्णाशनस्तथा । अब्भक्षो वायुभक्षश्न आसीद् विप्र: समाहित:,ये ब्राह्मगदेवता फल-मूलका आहार करते, सूखे पत्ते चबाते अथवा पानी या हवा पीकर रह जाते थे और सदा एकाग्रचित्त होकर ध्यानमग्न रहते थे
eṣa mūla-phalāhāraḥ śīrṇa-parṇāśanas tathā | ab-bhakṣo vāyu-bhakṣaś ca āsīd vipraḥ samāhitaḥ ||
सूर्य उवाच—एष विप्रः मूलफलाहारः, कदाचित् शीर्णपर्णाशनश्च। कदाचिद् अब्भक्षः, कदाचिद् वायुभक्ष इवाभवत्। एवं निगृहीतेन्द्रियः संयतः समाहितचित्तः, अन्तर्ध्यानपरायणोऽभवत्॥
सूर्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas (austerity) and mental composure: ethical strength is cultivated through restraint in consumption and steady concentration (samāhita), presenting ascetic discipline as a means to inner clarity and dharmic excellence.
Sūrya describes an exemplary brahmin ascetic whose livelihood is extremely minimal—roots, fruits, dried leaves, sometimes only water or even ‘air’—to emphasize his rigorous vows and unwavering meditative focus.