Shloka 9
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
Devanagari script
भक्तो<नुरक्त: सततमुपवासकृशोडबल: । फलमूलोदकाहार: शान्त: शिष्टाकृतिर्यथा
Transliteration
bhakto 'nuraktaḥ satatam upavāsa-kṛśo 'balāḥ | phala-mūlodakāhāraḥ śāntaḥ śiṣṭākṛtir yathā ||
Translation
毗湿摩说道：“他是虔诚的随从，恒常以忠诚相系；因持斋而形容枯槁、气力衰微。唯以果实、根茎与清水为食，仍能自制安宁，举止端肃，如同贤德之士。”
Word by Word
भक्तःdevoted
भक्तः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootभक्त (√भज)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
अनुरक्तःattached, devotedly devoted
अनुरक्तः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootअनुरक्त (√रञ्ज)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
सततम्always, constantly
सततम्:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसततम्
उपवासकृशःemaciated due to fasting
उपवासकृशः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootउपवास-कृश
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
उद्बलःweak, feeble
उद्बलः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootउद्बल
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
फलमूलोदकाहारःone whose food is fruits, roots, and water
फलमूलोदकाहारः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootफल-मूल-उदक-आहार
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
शान्तःcalm, self-controlled
शान्तः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootशान्त (√शम्)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
शिष्टाकृतिःhaving the demeanor of the cultured (a gentlemanly bearing)
शिष्टाकृतिः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootशिष्ट-आकृति
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
यथाas, like
यथा:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथा
Speaker
भीष्म उवाच
Characters & Entities
B
BhishmaCharacter Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
True devotion is shown through disciplined living: austerity (fasting), simplicity of diet, and inner restraint that expresses itself as calmness and cultured conduct.
Bhishma describes a devotee/ascetic figure whose constant devotion leads him to sustained fasting and a minimal diet of fruits, roots, and water; despite physical weakness, he maintains peace of mind and exemplary behavior.