Shloka 26

Suvarṇa-dāna: Kārttikeya’s Origin and the Defeat of Tāraka (सुवर्णदान-प्रसङ्गे कार्त्तिकेय-उत्पत्ति तथा तारकवधः)

Devanagari script

त्रींललोकाननुशासत्सु विष्णौ गर्भत्वमागते । अदित्यास्तप्यमानायास्तपो घोर सुदुश्चरम्‌

Transliteration

trīṁl lokān anuśāsatsu viṣṇau garbhatvam āgate | adityās tapyamānāyās tapo ghoraṁ suduścaram ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “When Viṣṇu, the ruler and guide of the three worlds, had entered the state of being in the womb, Aditi undertook a fierce and exceedingly difficult austerity, enduring intense self-discipline for the sake of that divine purpose.”

Word by Word

त्रीन्three

लोकान्worlds

अनुशासत्सुwhile (he) was ruling/instructing

विष्णौin/with regard to Vishnu

गर्भत्वम्the state of being in the womb; pregnancy

आगतेwhen (it) had come/occurred

अदित्याःof Aditi

तप्यमानायाःof (her) who was performing austerity / being heated (by penance)

तपःausterity, penance

घोरम्terrible, fierce

सुदुश्चरम्very difficult to perform

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Viṣṇu

Aditi

three worlds (trailokya)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights tapas—disciplined, difficult self-restraint—as a dharmic means to support a higher cosmic aim. Aditi’s endurance models steadfast devotion and ethical perseverance in service of divine order.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma describes a moment when Viṣṇu has assumed an embryonic state (entered the womb), and Aditi performs intense, arduous austerities connected with that divine event, emphasizing her role in enabling or supporting the incarnation.