Shloka 42
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
ब्राह्मण उवाच । नवे वयसि वै तात किन्तपस्यसि साम्प्रतम् । मुक्त्यर्थं वा जयार्थं किं सर्वथैतत्तपस्तव
brāhmaṇa uvāca | nave vayasi vai tāta kintapasyasi sāmpratam | muktyarthaṃ vā jayārthaṃ kiṃ sarvathaitattapastava
Der Brāhmaṇa sprach: „O liebes Kind, du stehst noch in der Frische der Jugend — warum übst du jetzt Tapas? Geschieht diese Buße um der Befreiung (mokṣa) willen oder um Sieg und weltliche Errungenschaften? Zu welchem Zweck ist in Wahrheit deine Askese?“
A Brāhmaṇa (sage/priest encountered in the narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: teaching
FAQs
It distinguishes the intention behind austerity—whether aimed at moksha or at worldly success—implying that tapas becomes spiritually fruitful when oriented toward Shiva-realization and liberation rather than mere conquest or gain.
By questioning the goal of tapas, the verse implicitly points to Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-upasana) as a disciplined path where intention matters: devotion and surrender for purification and grace lead toward moksha, not simply ritual power for victory.
The verse suggests examining one’s sankalpa (spiritual resolve) before practice; in Shaiva contexts this is commonly expressed through steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined tapas performed with the aim of purification and liberation.