Skanda-janma: Śivā/Svāhā, Agni, and the Manifestation of Guha
Mahābhārata 3.214
सर्वोपायैस्तु लोभस्य क्रोधस्य च विनिग्रह: । एतत् पवित्र लोकानां तपो वै संक्रमो मत:,सम्पूर्ण उपायोंसे लोभ और क्रोधकी वृत्तियोंको दबाना चाहिए। संसारमें यही पवित्र तप है और यही सबके लिये भवसागरसे पार उतारनेवाला सेतु माना गया है
sarvopāyais tu lobhasya krodhasya ca vinigrahaḥ | etat pavitraṁ lokānāṁ tapo vai saṅkramaḥ mataḥ |
Dengan segala cara, hendaknya keserakahan dan amarah dikendalikan. Inilah tapa yang menyucikan bagi insan di dunia, dan inilah jembatan yang dianggap menyeberangkan seseorang melampaui samudra samsara.
व्याध उवाच
The verse defines genuine tapas (austerity) not as external hardship but as inner mastery: restraining greed and anger through every practical method. This self-restraint is portrayed as purifying and as the effective means to cross beyond worldly bondage.
In the Vana Parva’s dialogue where the vyādha instructs a seeker on dharma, he emphasizes everyday ethical discipline. Here he highlights control of lobha and krodha as the central spiritual practice that elevates ordinary life into a path of purification.