Shloka 56

Aṣṭāvakra and the Woman: Disclosure, Permission, and Marital Resolution (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय २२)

Devanagari script

व्यतीतां रजनीं कृत्स्नां नाजानात्‌ स महाव्रतः । उसने मुनिके लिये विधिपूर्वक सम्पूर्ण दिव्य सामग्री प्रस्तुत की। वे महाव्रतधारी मुनि उसके दिये हुए कुछ-कुछ गरम होनेके कारण सुखदायक जलसे नहाकर उसके हाथोंके सुखद स्पर्शसे सेवित होकर इतने आनन्दविभोर हो गये कि कब सारी रात बीत गयी? इसका उन्हें ज्ञान ही नहीं हुआ

Transliteration

vyatītāṁ rajanīṁ kṛtsnāṁ nājānāt sa mahāvrataḥ |

Translation

毗湿摩说道：“那位持大誓的圣者竟不觉整夜已尽。主人依礼备办一切上妙供具——以温润宜人的热水为其沐浴，又以抚慰人心的手法侍奉——使他沉浸于满足之中，竟忘却了时光的流逝。”

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'vyatītām', 'definition': 'passed, elapsed (feminine accusative singular of vyatīta)'}, {'term': 'rajanīm', 'definition': 'night'}, {'term': 'kṛtsnām', 'definition': 'entire, whole'}, {'term': 'na ajānāt (nājānāt)', 'definition': 'did not know, did not perceive'}, {'term': 'saḥ', 'definition': 'he'}, {'term': 'mahāvrataḥ', 'definition': 'one of great vows

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma (speaker)
• mahāvrataḥ muni (great-vowed sage)
• rajanī (night)
• warm water for bathing (implied by narrative gloss)
• divine/choice hospitality materials (implied by narrative gloss)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores atithi-dharma: careful, respectful hospitality and selfless service can become a moral act so complete that it brings deep peace to the guest; dharma is expressed through attentive care, not merely through ritual or speech.

What is happening in the narrative?

A great-vowed sage is being properly hosted—provided with suitable requisites and comfort (such as a warm bath and gentle attendance). He becomes so pleased and absorbed that he does not notice the whole night passing.