Shloka 33
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
पितर ऊचु. सुमहानेष प्रश्नो वै यस्त्वया समुदीरित:
pitaras ūcuḥ | sumahān eṣa praśno vai yas tvayā samudīritaḥ |
Para Pitṛ berkata: “Wahai utusan ilahi yang bergerak di angkasa, pertanyaan yang engkau bangkitkan sungguh amat besar. Engkau telah menanyakan kepada kami suatu rahsia yang menakjubkan lagi halus. Bahkan para dewa dan para resi pun memuji upacara untuk leluhur (pitṛ-karman) ini, kerana ia menegakkan rasa budi, kesinambungan keturunan, dan kewajipan dharma terhadap mereka yang terdahulu.”
देवदूत उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates pitṛ-karman (ancestral duties such as śrāddha) as a profound dharmic obligation. Honoring ancestors is portrayed as an ethically weighty act praised even by gods and sages, grounding social continuity, gratitude, and responsibility across generations.
The Pitṛs respond to a sky-traveling divine messenger, acknowledging that he has posed an exceptionally important and subtle question. They frame the topic—ancestral rites—as a revered secret of dharma, endorsed by higher beings, preparing to explain its significance.