Shloka 22
Jaṭilāvatāra-Parīkṣā: Pārvatyāḥ Tapasāṃ Parīkṣaṇam
The Jaṭilā Episode and the Testing of Pārvatī’s Austerity
का त्वं कस्यासि तनया किमर्थं विजने वने । तपश्चरसि दुर्धर्षं मुनिभिः प्रयतात्मभिः
kā tvaṃ kasyāsi tanayā kimarthaṃ vijane vane | tapaścarasi durdharṣaṃ munibhiḥ prayatātmabhiḥ
“Who are you? Whose daughter are you? For what purpose do you undertake such formidable tapas here in this lonely forest—an austerity so hard that even self-restrained sages find it difficult to accomplish?”
A sage (muni) addressing a young woman performing tapas in the forest
Tattva Level: pashu
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights tapas as a disciplined inner striving—so demanding that even accomplished sages regard it as hard—implying that true spiritual attainment requires steadfast self-restraint and a clear purpose directed toward Shiva, the supreme Pati.
Although the Linga is not named here, the Shiva Purana repeatedly frames such solitary tapas as preparation for Shiva’s grace and darshana; the question underscores that austerity is not mere hardship but a means to approach Saguna Shiva through focused devotion and purity of mind.
The implied practice is sustained tapas with prayatātmā (disciplined mind)—typically supported in Shaiva tradition by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), meditation on Shiva, and a life of restraint, even when performed in seclusion.