Shloka 26
Indrajit’s Binding, Restoration by Viśalyā, and Counsel Restraining Rāvaṇa (Āraṇyaka Parva 273)
तपश्चचार विपुलं तस्य प्रीतो वृषध्वज: । बलिं स्वयं प्रत्यगृह्नात् प्रीयमाणस्त्रिलोचन:,राजन! युधिष्ठिरके ऐसा कहनेपर जयद्रथ बहुत लज्जित हुआ और नीचा मुँह किये वहाँसे चुपचाप चला गया। जनमेजय! वह पराजित होनेके महान् दुःखसे पीड़ित था; अतः वहाँसे घर न जाकर गंगाद्वार (हरिद्वार)-को चल दिया। वहाँ पहुँचकर उसने तीन नेत्रोंवाले भगवान् उमापतिकी शरण ले बड़ी भारी तपस्या की। इससे भगवान् शंकर प्रसन्न हो गये। त्रिनेत्रधारी महादेवने प्रसन्नतापूर्वक स्वयं दर्शन देकर उसकी पूजा ग्रहण की
tapaś cacāra vipulaṃ tasya prīto vṛṣadhvajaḥ | baliṃ svayaṃ pratyagṛhṇāt prīyamāṇas trilocanaḥ ||
He undertook an immense austerity. Pleased with him, Vṛṣadhvaja—Śiva, the Three-eyed Lord—graciously accepted the offering (bali) with his own hands. In the narrative setting, the verse underscores that even a disgraced warrior, driven by defeat and shame, turns to severe tapas; divine favor is shown not as a reward for arrogance, but as a response to sustained discipline and devotion.
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sustained tapas and sincere devotion can draw divine attention; the verse highlights disciplined effort and humility as the ethical posture that makes one fit to receive grace—contrasting with pride or entitlement.
A character performs intense austerities; Śiva (Vṛṣadhvaja, the Three-eyed) becomes pleased and personally accepts the ritual offering, signaling approval and the likelihood of granting a boon.