Shloka 23
Adhyāya 136: Yavakrī–Bharadvāja Saṃvāda and the Bāladhī–Dhanuṣākṣa Gāthā
Arrogance, Boons, and Nimitta
लोमश उवाच एवमुक्त्वा गत: शक्रो यवक्रीरपि भारत । भूय एवाकरोदू यत्नं तपस्यमितविक्रम:,लोमशजी कहते हैं--युधिष्ठिर! ऐसा कहकर इन्द्र चले गये; तब अत्यन्त पराक्रमी यवक्रीतने भी पुनः तपस्याके लिये ही घोर प्रयास आरम्भ कर दिया
lomaśa uvāca evam uktvā gataḥ śakro yavakrīr api bhārata | bhūya evākarod yatnaṃ tapasy amita-vikramaḥ ||
Lomaśa said: “Having spoken thus, Indra departed. Then Yavakrī too, O Bhārata (Yudhiṣṭhira), a man of immeasurable prowess, once again undertook strenuous effort for austerity.” The verse underscores how determination in tapas can persist even after divine counsel or intervention, raising the ethical question of whether one’s striving is guided by humility and dharma or by sheer will and ambition.
लोमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
Persistent effort in spiritual practice (tapas) is powerful, but the verse invites reflection on motive: true tapas should align with dharma and humility, not merely with personal ambition or pride in one’s prowess.
After Indra (Śakra) finishes speaking and departs, Yavakrī resumes intense ascetic striving, renewing his effort toward austerities; Lomaśa narrates this to Yudhiṣṭhira.