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 berkata: “Wahai yang terbaik di antara para abadi, demi memperoleh putra ia senantiasa berdiri dengan satu kaki. Melihat sang Mahādevī tekun dalam tapa yang agung…”
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.