Shloka 27
Suvarṇa-dāna: Kārttikeya’s Origin and the Defeat of Tāraka (सुवर्णदान-प्रसङ्गे कार्त्तिकेय-उत्पत्ति तथा तारकवधः)
पुत्रार्थममरश्रेष्ठ पादेनैकेन नित्यदा । तां तु दृष्टवा महादेवीं तप्यमानां महत्तप:
putrārtham amarāśreṣṭha pādenaikena nityadā | tāṁ tu dṛṣṭvā mahādevīṁ tapyamānāṁ mahattapaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô le meilleur des immortels, pour obtenir un fils, elle se tenait sans cesse sur un seul pied. Voyant cette grande déesse engagée dans une austérité si intense, (lui aussi fut ébranlé par la puissance de son tapas).»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-spiritual idea that steadfast self-discipline (tapas) undertaken with a clear intention—here, the desire for progeny—has transformative power and can draw divine attention and grace. It also underscores perseverance (nityadā) as central to effective spiritual effort.
Bhīṣma describes a scene where a revered goddess is performing severe austerities—standing continually on one foot—motivated by the wish to obtain a son. The narration sets up the significance of her tapas and its impact on those who witness it.