अध्याय १६ — शङ्कर-उमा-वरदानम् तथा तण्डि-स्तुतिः (Śaṅkara–Umā Boon-Granting and Taṇḍi’s Hymn)
श्रीभगवानुवाच अक्षयश्चाव्ययश्वैव भविता दुःखवर्जित: । यशस्वी तेजसा युक्तो दिव्यज्ञानसमन्वित:,भगवान् श्रीशिवने कहा--ब्रह्मन! तुम अक्षय, अविकारी, दुःखरहित, यशस्वी, तेजस्वी एवं दिव्यज्ञानसे सम्पन्न होओगे
śrībhagavān uvāca: akṣayaś cāvyayaś caiva bhavitā duḥkhavarjitaḥ | yaśasvī tejasā yukto divyajñānasamanvitaḥ ||
Sang Bhagavān bersabda: “Wahai Brahmana, engkau akan menjadi tak binasa dan tak berubah, bebas dari duka. Engkau akan termasyhur, bercahaya oleh daya rohani, serta dianugerahi pengetahuan ilahi.”
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse presents the ethical-spiritual ideal that true merit culminates in inner freedom from sorrow and in stable, imperishable qualities—fame and radiance are framed as consequences of divine knowledge rather than mere worldly success.
A divine speaker pronounces a boon to a Brahman, promising imperishability, freedom from suffering, renown, spiritual splendor, and divine knowledge—typical of Mahābhārata scenes where ascetic or righteous conduct is rewarded with elevated spiritual status.