Shloka 72
Śrāddha-Kalpa: Pitṛ-Pūjā and Tithi-Phala (श्राद्धकल्पः पितृपूजा च तिथिफलम्)
इत्युक्त्वा चोर्ध्वमनयद् रेतो वृषभवाहन: । ऊर्ध्वरेता: समभवत् तत: प्रभूति चापि सः
ity uktvā cordhvam anayad reto vṛṣabhavāhanaḥ | ūrdhvaretāḥ samabhavat tataḥ prabhūti cāpi saḥ ||
Sesudah berkata demikian kepada para dewa, Śaṅkara sang Wṛṣabhavāhana menarik rajasnya (daya benih) ke atas dan menahannya; sejak saat itu ia termasyhur sebagai Ūrdhvaretā.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined mastery over sensual impulse: divine power is shown not as indulgence but as restraint and sublimation—transforming generative force into tapas (spiritual heat/ascetic potency), a model of ethical self-governance.
After addressing the gods, Śiva (the bull-rider) draws his retas upward, becoming known as Ūrdhvaretā. The narration explains the origin and significance of this epithet, emphasizing his ascetic control.