Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
इन्द्रेण गुह्मां निहितं वै गुहायां यद्धार्गवस्तपसेहा भ्यविन्दत् । जाज्वल्यमानमुशनस्तेजसेह तत्साधयामासमहं वरेण्य
bhagīratha uvāca |
indreṇa guhyāṁ nihitaṁ vai guhāyāṁ yad bhārgavas tapasehābhyavindat |
jājvalyamānam uśanas tejaseha tat sādhayām āsa mahāṁ vareṇya ||
バギーラタは言った。「インドラが秘所――まことに洞窟の中――に隠し置いたあの(神秘の力/宝)を、バーर्गヴァの聖仙はここで苦行によって得た。ウシャナス(シュクラ)の光輝と結びつき、燃え立つように輝くそのものを、卓越せる御方よ、私もまた成就し、得ることができたのです。」
भगीरथ उवाच
Extraordinary attainments are not merely seized by force or chance; they are secured through tapas (disciplined austerity) and inner tejas (spiritual potency). Even what is hidden by the gods can be reached by sustained merit and right effort.
Bhagīratha recounts a tradition of a powerful, radiant object or attainment: Indra concealed it in a secret cave; a Bhārgava sage obtained it through austerity; and Bhagīratha declares that he too managed to accomplish/obtain that blazing, Śukra-associated power.