Mahabharata — Vana Parva, Shloka 20
Draupadī’s Rebuke of Jayadratha and Dhaumya’s Admonition (Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 252)
कुशचीराम्बरधर: परं नियममास्थित: । वाग्यतो राजशार्दूल: स स्वर्गगतिकाम्यया
kuśacīrāmbaradharaḥ paraṃ niyamam āsthitaḥ | vāgyato rājaśārdūlaḥ sa svargagatīkāmyayā
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Dengan mengenakan pakaian daripada rumput kuśa dan kulit kayu, raja yang gagah laksana harimau itu menempuh disiplin tapa yang tertinggi. Menahan tutur kata, dia menjalankan nazar itu dengan hasrat mencapai jalan ke syurga.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights niyama and vāg-yama (discipline and restraint of speech) as key components of tapas: ethical self-control expressed through simple living and regulated conduct, undertaken with a clear spiritual aim (here, attainment of svarga).
Vaiśampāyana describes a king adopting ascetic markers—kuśa-grass and bark garments—and entering a strict observance. He controls his speech and performs austerity motivated by the wish to reach heaven.