Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
पितर ऊचुः स्वागत ते<स्तु भद्रे ते श्रूयतां खेचरोत्तम । गूढार्थ: परम: प्रश्नो भवता समुदीरित:
The Pitṛs said: “Welcome to you, O best of sky-moving beings. May you be blessed with good fortune. You have raised a supreme question, profound in its hidden meaning. Hear its answer.”
भीष्म उवाच