Shloka 17
तारकासुर-पूर्ववृत्त-प्रश्नः (Questions on Tārakāsura and Śivā’s tapas) / “Inquiry into Tārakāsura’s origin and Śivā–Śiva narrative”
तथा दित्या कृतं पूर्णं तत्तपश्श्रद्धया मुने । ततः पत्युः प्राप्य गर्भं सुषुवे तादृशं सुतम्
tathā dityā kṛtaṃ pūrṇaṃ tattapaśśraddhayā mune | tataḥ patyuḥ prāpya garbhaṃ suṣuve tādṛśaṃ sutam
હે મુને, આ રીતે દિતીએ શ્રદ્ધાપૂર્વક પોતાનું તપ પૂર્ણ કર્યું. પછી પતિ દ્વારા ગર્ભ ધારણ કરીને તેણે તપના પ્રભાવ અનુસાર એવો જ સ્વભાવ ધરાવતો પુત્ર પ્રસવ્યો.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: creative
FAQs
The verse highlights that tapas, when carried out to completion with śraddhā, necessarily bears fruit; in Shaiva understanding, the result aligns with the seeker’s inner intention, showing the law of karma and the decisive role of motive in spiritual effort.
By implication, it teaches that spiritual disciplines should be oriented toward Pati (Shiva) for liberating grace; when austerity is directed by worldly desire, it yields worldly outcomes, whereas Linga/Saguna Shiva worship refines intention toward surrender and moksha.
The practical takeaway is disciplined tapas supported by śraddhā—ideally expressed as daily Shiva-upasana such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple vratāchara, so the fruit becomes purification rather than merely progeny or power.