Shloka 73
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
तोषयित्वा शुभान् कामान् प्राप्तवन्तो जनार्दन । जनार्दन! यहाँ सुरश्रेष्ठ महादेवजीको तपस्या
vāsudeva uvāca | toṣayitvā śubhān kāmān prāptavanto janārdana | janārdana! iha suraśreṣṭha-mahādevajīṃ tapasā brahmacaryeṇa satyena indriya-saṃyamena ca santoṣya pūrvaṃ bahavo devā maharṣayaś ca sva-śubhāṃś ca manorathān prāptavantaḥ || meru-kampanaḥ hiraṇyakaśipur nāma dānavaḥ pūrvam abhūt | tena śarvāt sarvāmara-aiśvaryaṃ samārbudam (daśa-koṭi-varṣāṇi) prāptam ||
ヴァースデーヴァは言った。「ジャナールダナよ、ここにおいて古の時代、多くの神々と大リシたちは、苦行と梵行、真実と諸根の制御によって、神々の中の最上なる大天マハーデーヴァを歓喜させ、吉祥なる願いを成就した。まことに、須弥山さえ震わせる力をもつ阿修羅ヒラニヤカシプは、かつてシャルヴァ（シヴァ）より、‘アルブダ’—十クロール年—のあいだ、諸天すべての主権と栄光を得たのである。」
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Auspicious aims are achieved by disciplined virtues—tapas (austerity), brahmacarya (regulated celibate conduct), satya (truth), and indriya-saṃyama (sense-restraint). The passage underscores that spiritual power and even extraordinary boons are linked to ethical self-mastery and sustained discipline.
Vāsudeva addresses Janārdana and cites precedents: many gods and sages previously pleased Mahādeva through ascetic virtues and gained their desired ends. As a striking example, he mentions the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu, famed for shaking Meru, who obtained from Śiva the sovereignty of the gods for an immense duration (an arbuda, explained as ten crores of years).