Shloka 67
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
पपात पादयोस्तस्य ततः प्रीतो5भवद् भव: । उवाच चैनं वचसा मेघगम्भीरगीर्हर: । जातविस्मयमालोक्य तप:ःक्षीणाड्रसंहतिम्,और किरातरूपी भगवान् शंकरके चरणोंमें गिर पड़े। उस समय तपस्याके कारण उनके समस्त अवयव क्षीण हो रहे थे और वे महान् आश्चर्यमें पड़ गये थे, उन्हें इस अवस्थामें देखकर सर्वपापहारी भगवान् भव उनपर बहुत प्रसन्न हुए और मेघके समान गम्भीर वाणीमें बोले
papāta pādayos tasya tataḥ prīto ’bhavad bhavaḥ | uvāca cainaṃ vacasā meghagambhīragīr haraḥ |
He fell at his feet; then Bhava (Śiva) became pleased. And Hara, whose voice was deep like thunderclouds, addressed him in words—having seen him struck with wonder and his body worn down and emaciated by austerity.
किरयात उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity and humility culminate in divine grace: sincere tapas that purifies the seeker, combined with reverent surrender (falling at the deity’s feet), draws the compassionate response of the Lord who removes sin and grants guidance.
The devotee/ascetic, astonished and physically worn down by severe austerities, prostrates at Śiva’s feet. Śiva—called Bhava and Hara—becomes pleased and speaks to him in a deep, cloud-like voice, signaling acceptance and the beginning of a divine instruction or boon.