Shloka 10
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 178 — Royal Contestants Assemble; Cosmic Witnesses; The Bow Remains Unstrung
तं॑ तथा निश्चितात्मानं स महात्मा महातपा: । ऋषिर्त्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठो मैत्रावरुणिरन्त्यधी:
taṁ tathā niścitātmānaṁ sa mahātmā mahātapāḥ | ṛṣir brahmavidāṁ śreṣṭho maitrāvaruṇir antyadhīḥ ||
见他如此决意已定、克己自持，那位大心大苦行者——弥多罗伐楼尼，诸梵知者之最胜，慧眼微妙而洞彻——便上前以相称之言相告。
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast inner resolve and self-mastery are presented as ethically significant virtues, recognized and validated by a foremost sage (a knower of Brahman). The verse links moral firmness with spiritual maturity and authoritative discernment.
The Gandharva describes how a great ascetic sage, Maitrāvaruṇi—renowned for Brahman-knowledge and keen intellect—observes someone who is firmly resolved and self-controlled, setting up the sage’s ensuing response or instruction.