Shloka 30
तपसा कर्षितो ऽत्यर्थं कृशो धमनिसंततः नग्नो वीटां मुखे दत्त्वा वीराध्वानं ततो गतः
tapasā karṣito 'tyarthaṃ kṛśo dhamanisaṃtataḥ nagno vīṭāṃ mukhe dattvā vīrādhvānaṃ tato gataḥ
Worn down exceedingly by austerity—emaciated, with veins standing out—he went unclothed; and placing a small morsel in his mouth, he then set forth upon the heroic path.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Bhū-gola/varṣa-nāma-nirukti and the account of Bharata’s renunciation
Teaching: Historical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: True heroism is the resolute abandonment of comfort through tapas and the turning of life toward spiritual striving.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Practice disciplined simplicity (food, speech, habits) and redirect daily effort toward sustained sādhanā rather than status.
Vishishtadvaita: Renunciation is meaningful when oriented to the Lord as the inner goal of yoga, not as mere self-mortification.
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse depicts tapas as an all-consuming discipline that strips away bodily comfort, presenting renunciation and endurance as a means to pursue a higher dharmic aim.
Here it is shown as steadfast forward movement despite hardship—choosing resolve over comfort—suggesting heroism as moral and spiritual courage, not merely physical strength.
Even when Vishnu is not named, the Purāṇic framework assumes dharma and disciplined striving ultimately align with Vishnu’s sovereign order, where right conduct supports cosmic stability.