Shloka 22
Kurukṣetra–Sarasvatī Tīrtha-Māhātmya
Pilgrimage Merits and Sacred Geography
त॑ दृष्टवा नियमेनाथ स्वाध्यायाम्नायकर्शितम् | भीष्म कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठ मुनि: प्रीतमनाभवत्,कुरुकुलशिरोमणि भीष्मको नियम, स्वाध्याय तथा वेदोक्त कर्मोंके अनुष्ठानसे दुर्बल हुआ देख पुलस्त्य मुनि मन-ही-मन बड़े प्रसन्न हुए
taṁ dṛṣṭvā niyamena atha svādhyāyāmnāya-karśitam | bhīṣma kuru-kula-śreṣṭha muniḥ prītamanābhavat ||
Thấy Bhīṣma—bậc ưu tú của dòng Kuru—tiều tụy vì giữ giới luật nghiêm cẩn, vì gánh nặng kỷ luật của việc tự học và tụng đọc Veda theo nghi thức, vị hiền triết liền thầm vui trong lòng.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse commends disciplined observance (niyama) and faithful Vedic study (svādhyāya/āmnāya). Even when such practice causes physical hardship, it is portrayed as ethically admirable when aligned with dharma, eliciting the sage’s approval.
Nārada reports that a sage, upon seeing Bhīṣma weakened by rigorous vows and sustained Vedic study and ritual discipline, feels pleased within—signaling recognition of Bhīṣma’s steadfast commitment to sacred duty.