अध्याय ३३७ — ज्ञानमार्ग-वैविध्यप्रश्नः तथा व्यासस्य नारायणोद्भवकथा
Systems of Knowledge and Vyāsa’s Nārāyaṇa-Origin
मेरोरुत्तरभागे तु क्षीरोदस्यानुकूलतः । स देशो यत्र नस्तप्तं तप: परमदारुणम्
meror uttarabhāge tu kṣīrodasyānukūlataḥ | sa deśo yatra nas taptaṁ tapaḥ paramadāruṇam ||
ณฟากเหนือของเขาพระสุเมรุ ใกล้ฝั่งมหาสมุทรน้ำนม มีแดนศักดิ์สิทธิ์แห่งหนึ่ง—ที่ซึ่งเราครั้งนั้นได้บำเพ็ญตบะอันแสนสาหัส
भीष्म उवाच
The verse elevates disciplined austerity (tapas) and single-pointed intent as a means of spiritual attainment, presenting divine vision as the fruit of sustained self-control rather than worldly gain.
Bhishma describes a sacred place near Mount Meru and the Ocean of Milk where “we” performed extremely severe penance for a thousand years, aiming to obtain the sight of the eternal, boon-giving Lord Narayana.