Shloka 1.29.12

सिद्धाश्रम-प्रसङ्गः (Siddhashrama and the Vāmana Narrative)

Devanagari script

तपोमयं तपोराशिं तपोमूर्तिं तपात्मकम्।तपसा त्वां सुतप्तेन पश्यामि पुरुषोत्तमम्।।1.29.12।।

Transliteration

iha rāma mahābāho viṣṇur devavaraḥ prabhuḥ | varṣāṇi subahūnīha tathā yugaśatāni ca || 1.29.2 || tapaś-caraṇa-yogārtham uvāsa su-mahā-tapāḥ |

Translation

Here, O Rāma of mighty arms, Viṣṇu—the sovereign Lord, foremost among the gods—dwelt for countless years, even for hundreds of yugas, to practice yoga and perform austerities (tapas).

Context

"You are all ascetism, a mass of tapas, and an embodiment of tapas. Your soul is tapas. O Purushottama! I am beholding you after a rigorous penance.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Viṣṇu
• Siddhāśrama (implied by ‘here’ in the surrounding passage)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is sustained through disciplined self-restraint: the verse elevates tapas and yogic practice as legitimate, long-term means for preserving cosmic and social order.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra points out the sacred site (Siddhāśrama) to Rāma and explains its sanctity by recalling Viṣṇu’s long austerities performed there.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ascetic steadfastness (dṛḍha-niścaya / tapaḥ): unwavering commitment to spiritual discipline across vast spans of time.