Shloka 44
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
ब्राह्मण उवाच । युक्तं न क्रियते वीर सुखं प्राप्तुं च यत्तपः । क्षात्रधर्मेण क्रियते मुक्त्यर्थं कुरुसत्तम
brāhmaṇa uvāca | yuktaṃ na kriyate vīra sukhaṃ prāptuṃ ca yattapaḥ | kṣātradharmeṇa kriyate muktyarthaṃ kurusattama
Der Brāhmaṇa sprach: „O Held, eine Askese, die nur unternommen wird, um weltliches Vergnügen zu erlangen, ist nicht angemessen. Doch wenn dieselbe Disziplin gemäß dem Dharma eines Kṣatriya um der Befreiung willen vollzogen wird, o Bester der Kurus, dann ist sie rechtmäßig.“
A Brāhmaṇa (unnamed counsel-giver within the narrative)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It distinguishes desire-driven austerity from dharma-aligned discipline aimed at mokṣa—teaching that right intention and alignment with one’s ordained duty purify the soul and loosen bondage (pāśa), preparing one for Shiva’s grace.
Linga/Saguna-Shiva worship in the Purana is repeatedly framed as dharma performed with liberation-intent rather than for enjoyment or power; this verse reinforces that spiritual practice and duty become sanctified when offered toward mokṣa and Shiva-realization.
The implied takeaway is niṣkāma discipline—performing one’s duty as an offering to Shiva; practically, this aligns with steady japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and daily Shiva-pūjā done without desire for worldly reward.