Shloka 42
Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
काम यथादद्विहितं विधात्रा पृष्टेन वाच्यं तु मया यथावत् | तपो हि नान्यच्चानशनान्मतं मे नमोस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद
kāmaṃ yathādad dvihitaṃ vidhātrā pṛṣṭena vācyaṃ tu mayā yathāvat | tapo hi nānyac cānaśanān mataṃ me namo 'stu te deva-vara prasīda ||
Bhagīratha said: “I have duly observed the fast as was ordained by the Creator, according to my own resolve. Since you have questioned me, it is right that I speak everything exactly as it is; therefore I have told you all. In my understanding, there is no austerity greater than fasting. I bow to you, O best of gods—be gracious to me.”
भगीरथ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates disciplined fasting (anaśana) as a supreme form of tapas and links ascetic practice with dharma: when questioned by a higher authority, one should speak truthfully and completely (yathāvat), without concealment.
Bhagīratha addresses a divine being, explaining that he has properly completed the prescribed fast. Because the deity has asked, he reports his actions fully and then offers reverence, requesting the god’s favor.