Shloka 27
Suvarṇa-dāna: Kārttikeya’s Origin and the Defeat of Tāraka (सुवर्णदान-प्रसङ्गे कार्त्तिकेय-उत्पत्ति तथा तारकवधः)
पुत्रार्थममरश्रेष्ठ पादेनैकेन नित्यदा । तां तु दृष्टवा महादेवीं तप्यमानां महत्तप:
putrārtham amarāśreṣṭha pādenaikena nityadā | tāṁ tu dṛṣṭvā mahādevīṁ tapyamānāṁ mahattapaḥ ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „O Bester der Unsterblichen, um einen Sohn zu erlangen, stand sie unablässig auf einem einzigen Fuß. Als er jene große Göttin in so gewaltiger Askese sah, (wurde auch er von der Macht ihres Tapas ergriffen).“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-spiritual idea that steadfast self-discipline (tapas) undertaken with a clear intention—here, the desire for progeny—has transformative power and can draw divine attention and grace. It also underscores perseverance (nityadā) as central to effective spiritual effort.
Bhīṣma describes a scene where a revered goddess is performing severe austerities—standing continually on one foot—motivated by the wish to obtain a son. The narration sets up the significance of her tapas and its impact on those who witness it.