अध्याय १६ — शङ्कर-उमा-वरदानम् तथा तण्डि-स्तुतिः (Śaṅkara–Umā Boon-Granting and Taṇḍi’s Hymn)
श्रीभगवानुवाच अक्षयश्चाव्ययश्वैव भविता दुःखवर्जित: । यशस्वी तेजसा युक्तो दिव्यज्ञानसमन्वित:,भगवान् श्रीशिवने कहा--ब्रह्मन! तुम अक्षय, अविकारी, दुःखरहित, यशस्वी, तेजस्वी एवं दिव्यज्ञानसे सम्पन्न होओगे
śrībhagavān uvāca: akṣayaś cāvyayaś caiva bhavitā duḥkhavarjitaḥ | yaśasvī tejasā yukto divyajñānasamanvitaḥ ||
ഭഗവാൻ അരുളിച്ചെയ്തു—ഹേ ബ്രാഹ്മണാ! നീ അക്ഷയനും അവ്യയനും ആകും; ദുഃഖവിമുക്തനാകും; യശസ്സും തേജസ്സും ഉള്ളവനായി ദിവ്യജ്ഞാനസമ്പന്നനാകും।
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse presents the ethical-spiritual ideal that true merit culminates in inner freedom from sorrow and in stable, imperishable qualities—fame and radiance are framed as consequences of divine knowledge rather than mere worldly success.
A divine speaker pronounces a boon to a Brahman, promising imperishability, freedom from suffering, renown, spiritual splendor, and divine knowledge—typical of Mahābhārata scenes where ascetic or righteous conduct is rewarded with elevated spiritual status.