Shloka 44
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
ब्राह्मण उवाच । युक्तं न क्रियते वीर सुखं प्राप्तुं च यत्तपः । क्षात्रधर्मेण क्रियते मुक्त्यर्थं कुरुसत्तम
brāhmaṇa uvāca | yuktaṃ na kriyate vīra sukhaṃ prāptuṃ ca yattapaḥ | kṣātradharmeṇa kriyate muktyarthaṃ kurusattama
Dijo el Brāhmaṇa: «Oh héroe, la austeridad realizada sólo para obtener placer mundano no es apropiada. Pero cuando esa misma disciplina se practica conforme al dharma del Kṣatriya, por la liberación, oh el mejor de los Kurus, entonces se vuelve justa.»
A Brāhmaṇa (unnamed counsel-giver within the narrative)
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: teaching
FAQs
It distinguishes desire-driven austerity from dharma-aligned discipline aimed at mokṣa—teaching that right intention and alignment with one’s ordained duty purify the soul and loosen bondage (pāśa), preparing one for Shiva’s grace.
Linga/Saguna-Shiva worship in the Purana is repeatedly framed as dharma performed with liberation-intent rather than for enjoyment or power; this verse reinforces that spiritual practice and duty become sanctified when offered toward mokṣa and Shiva-realization.
The implied takeaway is niṣkāma discipline—performing one’s duty as an offering to Shiva; practically, this aligns with steady japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and daily Shiva-pūjā done without desire for worldly reward.