Shloka 17
अहिंसा-प्रधान धर्मविचारः
Ahiṃsā as the Superior Dharma: Practical and Scriptural Reasoning
वहाँ मृत्युदेवीने अत्यन्त दुष्कर और उत्तम तपस्या की। वह पंद्रह पद्म वर्षोतक एक पैरपर खड़ी रही ।। तां तथा कुर्वतीं तत्र तप: परमदुश्चरम् । पुनरेव महातेजा ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत्
tāṁ tathā kurvatīṁ tatra tapaḥ paramaduścaram | punar eva mahātejā brahmā vacanam abravīt ||
そこにおいて死の女神は、きわめて困難にして最上の苦行を修めた。彼女は十五年のあいだ片足で立ち続けた。そのようにして至難のタパスを行い続ける彼女に、偉大なる光輝を放つブラフマーが再び言葉をかけた。
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas—steadfast, difficult self-discipline—as a morally potent force that draws divine recognition. Ethical strength is shown not through power or violence but through sustained restraint and purposeful austerity.
A female figure (contextually Mṛtyudevī) is engaged in extremely difficult austerities. Observing her sustained tapas, the radiant Brahmā approaches again and speaks, signaling a turning point where the ascetic effort is acknowledged and a response (often guidance or a boon) is about to be given.