Shloka 42
Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
काम यथादद्विहितं विधात्रा पृष्टेन वाच्यं तु मया यथावत् | तपो हि नान्यच्चानशनान्मतं मे नमोस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद
kāmaṃ yathādad dvihitaṃ vidhātrā pṛṣṭena vācyaṃ tu mayā yathāvat | tapo hi nānyac cānaśanān mataṃ me namo 'stu te deva-vara prasīda ||
バギーラタは言った。「神々の主よ、私は創造主の定めに従い、己が誓願のままに、断食の誓いを正しく守り抜きました。あなたが問われた以上、私はありのままを余すところなく語るべきゆえ、すべてを申し上げました。私の理解では、断食に勝る苦行はありません。諸神の最勝者よ、あなたに礼拝いたします—どうか私に慈悲を垂れてください。」
भगीरथ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates disciplined fasting (anaśana) as a supreme form of tapas and links ascetic practice with dharma: when questioned by a higher authority, one should speak truthfully and completely (yathāvat), without concealment.
Bhagīratha addresses a divine being, explaining that he has properly completed the prescribed fast. Because the deity has asked, he reports his actions fully and then offers reverence, requesting the god’s favor.