Shloka 21
Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
त॑ दृष्टवा चाप्लुतं तोये सागरे सागरोपमम्,राजन! समुद्रके समान अत्यन्त प्रभावशाली मुनिको समुद्रके जलमें स्नान करके अपनेसे पहले ही आश्रममें प्रविष्ट हुआ देख बुद्धिमान् असित देवलको पुनः बड़ी चिन्ता हुई
taṁ dṛṣṭvā cāplutaṁ toye sāgare sāgaropamam, rājan! samudrake samāna atyanta-prabhāvaśāli muniko samudrake jalena snātvā svataḥ pūrvam eva āśrame praviṣṭaṁ dṛṣṭvā buddhimān asita-devalaḥ punaḥ mahācintām āpa
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: O Hari, nang makita niyang ang napakamakapangyarihang pantas—malalim na tulad ng dagat—ay nakapaligo sa tubig-dagat at nakapasok sa āśrama bago pa siya, muling sinakmal ng matinding pangamba ang marunong na si Asita Devala. Ipinahihiwatig ng pangyayaring ito na ang lakas espirituwal at disiplinadong pagkilos ay maaaring gumulo kahit sa mga pantas, at magbunsod ng masusing pagsusuri sa sarili kung ano ang nararapat gawin sa susunod.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary spiritual discipline and capability (tapas/prabhāva) can provoke reflection and anxiety in others, reminding the listener that dharma is not merely knowledge but also timely, disciplined action and inner steadiness.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Asita Devala sees an immensely powerful sage—likened to the ocean—who has already bathed in the sea and entered the hermitage ahead of him; witnessing this, Asita Devala becomes worried again, suggesting a renewed concern about the situation and what it signifies.