Shloka 31
भरद्वाजाश्रमप्राप्तिः
Arrival at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage and Counsel toward Citrakūṭa
ऋषयस्तत्र बहवो विहृत्य शरदां शतम्।तपसा दिवमारूढाः कपालशिरसा सह।।।।
ṛṣayas tatra bahavo vihṛtya śaradāṁ śatam |
tapasā divam ārūḍhāḥ kapālaśirasā saha || 2.54.31 ||
അവിടെ അനേകം ഋഷിമാർ നൂറു ശരദ്കാലങ്ങൾ വരെ വസിച്ചു വിഹരിച്ചു; തപസ്സിന്റെ ശക്തിയാൽ അവർ ദിവ്യലോകത്തിലേക്ക് ആരോഹണം ചെയ്തു—അത്യന്തം ക്ഷീണിച്ച് കപാലം മാത്രം തലപോലെ തോന്നുന്നവരായി.
On the Chitrakuta mountain many ascetics wandered about (lived) for hundreds of years carrying on penance. In the process they became so much emaciated that they looked as if they were left (only) with the skulls on their heads. (In the end) they ascended heaven.
FAQs
Dharma includes self-discipline and sacrifice: sustained tapas (austerity) is portrayed as a legitimate path to spiritual elevation and inner purification.
The narrative describes Citrakūṭa as a long-standing abode of ascetics and highlights the intensity of their penance.
Austerity and steadfastness—enduring long years of disciplined practice for higher spiritual ends.