Shloka 21
Rudra-Śiva: Names, Two Natures, and the Logic of Epithets (रुद्रनाम-बहुरूपत्व-प्रकरणम्)
अयं मुनिगण: सर्वस्तपस्तेप इति प्रभो | तपोवेषकरो लोके भ्रमते विविधाकृति:
ayaṁ munigaṇaḥ sarvas tapas tepa iti prabho | tapoveṣakaro loke bhramate vividhākṛtiḥ, prabho |
قال ناردَة: «يا ربّ، إنَّ هذه الجموعَ كلَّها من الحكماء قد مارست الزهدَ والتقشّف حقًّا. وهي، متزيّنةً بزيِّ النُّسّاك ظاهرًا، تجوب العالمَ في صورٍ شتّى. يا ربّ—رغبةً في إرضاء هذه الجماعة من أهل البصيرة وإرضائي أيضًا—أرجو أن تحسم شكي هذا.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between inner spiritual discipline (tapas) and mere external markers (the ascetic’s dress). It frames a sincere inquiry: how to understand beings who appear as ascetics and move through the world in varied forms, urging discernment beyond appearances.
Nārada addresses the Lord (Śiva in this context), pointing to an assembled host of sages who have practiced austerity and now wander the world in diverse appearances. He requests that his doubt about them be clarified, asking for an explanation that will be pleasing to the sages and to himself.