Shloka 41
Adhyāya 325: Nārada in Śvetadvīpa—Stotra to the Nirguṇa Mahātman
स्पर्थ्यास्तरणसंकीर्ण ददुस्ता: परमस्त्रिय: । उन सुन्दरी रमणियोंने देवताओंके बैठने योग्य एक दिव्य पलंग, जिसमें रत्न जड़े हुए थे और जिसपर बहुमूल्य बिछौने बिछे थे, शुकदेवजीको सोनेके लिये दिया || ४० ई ।।
pādaśaucaṃ tu kṛtvaiva śukaḥ saṃdhyām upāsya ca | madhyarātre yathānyāyaṃ nidrām āhārayat prabhuḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: Matapos munang hugasan ang kanyang mga paa (at isagawa ang itinakdang paglilinis ng katawan), isinagawa ni Śuka ang pagsamba sa dapithapon. Pagkaraan, naupo siya sa isang dalisay na upuan at nanatiling lubos na nakatuon sa pagninilay sa simulain ng paglaya. Sa unang bahagi ng gabi, nanatili siyang nasa pagninilay; at sa gitnang bahagi ng gabi, ang makapangyarihang pantas ay tumanggap ng pagtulog ayon sa wastong disiplina at tuntunin.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined living: purity of body (washing), regular spiritual duty (Sandhyā worship), sustained contemplation of liberation, and even sleep taken only in a regulated, appropriate measure—showing that renunciation is not negligence but ordered self-governance.
Bhīṣma describes Śuka’s conduct at night: after cleansing and performing Sandhyā rites, he sits on a pure seat and meditates on mokṣa; he remains absorbed through the early night and only later, at midnight, accepts sleep according to proper ascetic discipline.