ततश्च सर्वदेवेभ्यस्तेजोरूपबलाधिकः । बुधः सोमं समापृच्छय तपसे कृतनिश्चयः
tataśca sarvadevebhyastejorūpabalādhikaḥ | budhaḥ somaṃ samāpṛcchaya tapase kṛtaniścayaḥ
Sesudah itu Budha—melampaui semua dewa dalam cahaya, rupa, dan kekuatan—mendatangi Soma dan menanyainya, setelah berketetapan menjalani tapa-brata.
Skanda (to Agastya, deduced from Kāśīkhaṇḍa context)
Scene: Budha, youthful and radiant, stands before Soma with composed intensity; his aura outshines surrounding devas; his posture shows resolve to undertake austerity; Soma appears regal and lunar-bright, receiving the question.
Spiritual maturity is shown by firm resolve (niścaya) and turning toward tapas to clarify destiny and purpose.
The verse anticipates Budha’s journey to Kāśī, the foremost mokṣa-kṣetra.
Tapas (austerity) is indicated as Budha’s chosen discipline, though details appear later.