Shloka 46
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
इन्द्रस्तु सुखदाता वै मुक्तिदाता भवेन्न हि । तस्मात्त्वं सर्वथा श्रेष्ठ कर्तुमर्हसि सत्तपः । नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इदन्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा क्रोधं चक्रेऽर्जुनस्तदा । प्रत्युवाच विनीतात्मा तदनादृत्य सुव्रतः
indrastu sukhadātā vai muktidātā bhavenna hi | tasmāttvaṃ sarvathā śreṣṭha kartumarhasi sattapaḥ | nandīśvara uvāca | idantadvacanaṃ śrutvā krodhaṃ cakre'rjunastadā | pratyuvāca vinītātmā tadanādṛtya suvrataḥ
«Indra es, en verdad, dador de placeres mundanos, pero no es dador de liberación. Por eso, tú eres superior en todo; oh noble asceta, debes emprender la verdadera austeridad (la que conduce a Śiva).» Nandīśvara dijo: Al oír estas palabras, Arjuna se enfureció en ese instante; pero, disciplinado y dueño de sí, respondió, desatendiendo aquella afirmación.
Nandishvara (narrating the dialogue; the quoted line is addressed to Arjuna by a prior speaker within the story)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Pashupatinatha
Role: liberating
FAQs
It distinguishes temporary worldly enjoyment (sukha) granted by deities like Indra from moksha, which is ultimately bestowed through Śiva’s grace; thus it directs the seeker toward true tapas aimed at liberation rather than pleasure.
By asserting that liberation is not obtained through mere heavenly boons, it implicitly points to devotion and disciplined practice centered on Śiva—often expressed in Purāṇic worship through the Śiva-liṅga, mantra-japa, and steadfast vows directed to Saguna Śiva as the compassionate bestower of grace.
The verse emphasizes sat-tapas—disciplined austerity—practically aligned with Śaiva observances such as regular Śiva-pūjā, pañcākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and vow-based practices (vrata) undertaken with the intent of purification and liberation.