अध्याय १६ — शङ्कर-उमा-वरदानम् तथा तण्डि-स्तुतिः (Śaṅkara–Umā Boon-Granting and Taṇḍi’s Hymn)
इति तण्डिस्तपोराशिस्तुष्टावेशानमात्मना । जगौ च परमं ब्रह्म यत् पुरा लोककृज्जगौ
iti taṇḍis-taporāśis tuṣṭāveśānam ātmanā | jagau ca paramaṃ brahma yat purā lokakṛj jagau ||
Demikianlah Taṇḍi, laksana khazanah tapa, memuji Īśāna (Śiva) dengan minda yang terpusat. Lalu dia melagukan himne tertinggi kepada Brahman Yang Maha Agung—nyanyian yang pada zaman purba pernah dinyanyikan oleh Brahmā, pencipta dunia—dan dia sendiri pun menyanyikannya menurut teladan asal itu.
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse highlights that true praise of the Divine is grounded in inner discipline (tapas) and mindful devotion, and that following an established sacred lineage—here, a hymn once sung by Brahmā—confers authority and continuity to one’s worship.
Vāyudeva describes how the ascetic Taṇḍi, after performing great austerities, offers a heartfelt eulogy to Īśāna (Śiva) and then chants an ancient, supreme hymn associated with Brahmā, indicating a transition from personal praise to a revered, primordial stotra.