Shloka 22
Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
प्रविष्टमाश्रमं चापि पूर्वमेव ददर्श सः । असितो देवलो राजंश्रिन्तयामास बुद्धिमान्
praviṣṭam āśramaṃ cāpi pūrvam eva dadarśa saḥ | asito devalo rājan cintayāmāsa buddhimān ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：他看见精舍（āśrama）已被人先行进入。大王啊，智者阿悉多·提婆罗于是又陷入忧惧的沉思——因发现他人竟先他一步抵达精舍，尽管他自身亦曾竭力并具大威力。此刻揭示：即便修行有成的苦行者，也会被微细的傲慢、竞争之心与自我制御的要求所考验。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the wise can be shaken by subtle ego—such as anxiety over being surpassed. The verse points to the ethical need for vigilance, humility, and mastery over competitive impulses, especially in spiritual life.
The speaker reports that the hermitage had already been entered by someone earlier. Seeing this, the sage Asita Devala becomes troubled and begins to ponder anxiously, indicating a renewed inner agitation upon encountering an unexpected precedence.