Shloka 24
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
समुद्रगामिनी सरिताओ! पृथ्वीपर या स्वर्गमें मैं किसीका भी ऐसा कोई विज्ञान नहीं देखती, जिसे उसने अकेले ही--दूसरोंका सहयोग लिये बिना ही सिद्ध कर लिया हो, इसीलिये मैं आपलोगोंसे सादर सलाह लेती हूँ ।।
samudragāminī saritaḥ! pṛthvīpar vā svargamadhye vāhaṁ kasyāpi tādṛśaṁ vijñānaṁ na paśyāmi, yat tenaikenaiva—anyasahāyyam vinā—siddhaṁ kṛtam; tasmād ahaṁ yuṣmābhyaḥ sādaraṁ mantraṁ pṛcchāmi. evaṁ sarvāḥ saricchreṣṭhāḥ pṛṣṭāḥ puṇyatamāḥ śivāḥ; tato devanadī gaṅgā niyuktā pratipūjyaca.
“O mga ilog na dumadaloy patungong karagatan! Sa lupa man o sa langit, wala akong nakikitang tunay na kaalaman o ganap na tagumpay na napapanday ng tao nang lubos na mag-isa, nang walang tulong ng iba. Kaya’t magalang akong humihingi ng payo sa inyo.” Nang iharap ni Umā ang tanong na ito sa lahat ng mapalad at lubhang banal na mga ilog—ang pinakamainam sa mga ilog—pinarangalan nila ang banal na ilog na si Gaṅgā at siya ang itinalagang sumagot.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that meaningful knowledge and successful accomplishment are rarely achieved in isolation; humility and the willingness to seek counsel and cooperation are ethical strengths, not weaknesses.
Umā addresses the ocean-bound rivers, stating she has not seen any achievement perfected without others’ help, and asks them for advice. The assembled sacred rivers then honor Gaṅgā and appoint her to give the response.