Shloka 13
Arjuna–Gaṇa Saṃvāda: Bāṇādhikāra, Tāpasa-veṣa, and the Ethics of Tapas (अर्जुन-गणसंवादः)
तपःफलं कथं त्वं च हातुमिच्छसि तापस । चौर्य्याच्छलार्द्यमानाच्च विस्मयात्सत्य भञ्जनात्
tapaḥphalaṃ kathaṃ tvaṃ ca hātumicchasi tāpasa | cauryyācchalārdyamānācca vismayātsatya bhañjanāt
O Asket, wie kannst du wünschen, die Frucht deiner Askese aufzugeben? Denn sie wird von Diebstahl und Trug bedrängt und von Verwirrung, die zum Bruch der Wahrheit führt.
Lord Shiva (as the inner guide instructing an ascetic on preserving tapas through satya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse warns that tapas bears fruit only when guarded by satya (truth) and clear discernment; deceit, theft, and delusion corrode spiritual merit and obstruct the soul’s approach to Pati (Shiva).
Linga-worship is not merely external; Saguna Shiva is pleased when the devotee’s conduct is aligned with dharma—especially truthfulness—so that worship becomes a pure channel for Shiva’s grace rather than a display tainted by छल (deceit).
Practice daily self-audit (satya-vrata): recite the Panchakshara mantra "Om Namaḥ Śivāya" with a vow of truth, and avoid छल/caurya in thought, speech, and action—thereby preserving the power of tapas.