Shloka 40
Adhyāya 270 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on saṃnyāsa; Bhīṣma on calculable time, tamas, and karma
Vṛtra–Uśanā exemplum begins
तस्य साक्षात् कुण्डधारो दर्शयामास भारत
tasya sākṣāt kuṇḍadhāro darśayāmāsa bhārata, bharatanandana! itanehīme brāhmaṇasya tapasyā-prabhāvena tathā tasmin prati sauhārdāt preritaḥ kuṇḍadhāreṇa tasmai pratyakṣa-darśanaṃ dattam. tena saṃgamya brāhmaṇena kuṇḍadhārasya vidhi-pūrvakaṃ pūjanaṃ kṛtam. nareśvara! taṃ dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇasya mahad āścaryaṃ jātaṃ.
毗湿摩说道：“噢，婆罗多的后裔，婆罗多族的荣光！就在那一刻，军荼陀罗（Kuṇḍadhāra）亲自显现于他面前。因婆罗门苦行之力所感，又以对他的友善之心为动，军荼陀罗赐予他可见的觐见（darśana）。相见之后，婆罗门依正当仪轨礼敬军荼陀罗。噢，大王，他一见其形，便惊异非常。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-spiritual principle that disciplined austerity (tapas) and sincere disposition can draw a direct response: spiritual power and goodwill together become the cause for ‘darśana’ (a direct encounter). It also models proper conduct after receiving grace—responding with reverent, rule-guided worship rather than pride or entitlement.
A brāhmaṇa, through the efficacy of his austerities, becomes the recipient of a direct appearance by Kuṇḍadhāra, who is additionally moved by friendly goodwill. The brāhmaṇa then meets him and performs formal worship according to ritual prescriptions, and he is struck with great amazement at the encounter.