Shloka 61
गिरिजाया तपोऽनुज्ञा
Permission for Girijā’s Austerities
तथा तया तपस्तप्तं मुनीनामपि दुष्करम् । स्मृत्वा च पुरुषास्तत्र परमं विस्मयं गताः
tathā tayā tapastaptaṃ munīnāmapi duṣkaram | smṛtvā ca puruṣāstatra paramaṃ vismayaṃ gatāḥ
Ainsi, elle accomplit un tapas si rigoureux que même les sages le trouveraient difficile. En se remémorant cette ascèse, les gens de là furent saisis du plus grand émerveillement.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Highlights the extraordinary intensity of tapas as a catalyst for communal śraddhā and expectation of Śiva’s grace; reinforces the Siddhānta idea that effort prepares, grace completes.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights the transformative power of tapas performed with unwavering intent: such disciplined austerity purifies the limited self and becomes a fit vessel for Śiva’s grace, inspiring even ordinary people to reverence the path of spiritual effort.
Pārvatī’s tapas exemplifies approaching Saguna Śiva through devoted discipline—preparing the heart for divine presence; in Linga-worship too, purity of resolve and sustained practice are presented as the inner support for receiving Śiva’s anugraha.
The verse points to steadfast tapas—regular japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), simple living, and focused meditation—undertaken consistently as a devotional discipline rather than as mere hardship.