Shloka 23
Omens and Consolation after Loss; Reaffirmation of the Saindhava Punishment Vow (उत्पात-दर्शनम्, आश्वासन-वाक्यानि, प्रतिज्ञा-स्थैर्यम्)
पज्चगज्जासु सा पुण्या कन्या वेतसकेषु च । तपोविशेषैर्बहुभि: कर्षयद् देहमात्मन:,उस पवित्र कन्याने पंचगंगामें तथा वेतसवनमें बहुत-सी भिन्न-भिन्न तपस्याओंद्वारा अपने शरीरको अत्यन्त दुर्बल कर दिया
pañcagaṅgāsu sā puṇyā kanyā vetasakeṣu ca | tapoviśeṣair bahubhiḥ karṣayad deham ātmanaḥ ||
قال نارَدَة: إن تلك الفتاة الفاضلة، إذ أقامت عند الملتقى المقدّس المسمّى بَنْچَگَنْگَا (Pañcagaṅgā) وكذلك في غابات الفيتاسا (Vetasa)، قد باشرت أنواعاً كثيرة من الرياضات الشديدة، حتى أضنت جسدها إضناءً عظيماً.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores tapas (austerity) as a disciplined, purposeful practice: sincere spiritual resolve may demand bodily hardship, but it is framed as a meritorious act aimed at purification and attainment of a higher end.
Nārada describes a virtuous maiden performing many kinds of severe austerities at sacred locations—Pañcagaṅgā and the Vetasa groves—so intensely that her body becomes extremely emaciated.