Shloka 42
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
ब्राह्मण उवाच । नवे वयसि वै तात किन्तपस्यसि साम्प्रतम् । मुक्त्यर्थं वा जयार्थं किं सर्वथैतत्तपस्तव
brāhmaṇa uvāca | nave vayasi vai tāta kintapasyasi sāmpratam | muktyarthaṃ vā jayārthaṃ kiṃ sarvathaitattapastava
Brahmana itu berkata: “Wahai anak yang dikasihi, engkau masih dalam kesegaran usia muda—mengapa engkau melakukan tapa sekarang? Adakah pertapaan ini demi mokṣa (pembebasan), atau demi kemenangan serta pencapaian duniawi? Sebenarnya, untuk tujuan apakah tapa ini engkau lakukan?”
A Brāhmaṇa (sage/priest encountered in the narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: teaching
FAQs
It distinguishes the intention behind austerity—whether aimed at moksha or at worldly success—implying that tapas becomes spiritually fruitful when oriented toward Shiva-realization and liberation rather than mere conquest or gain.
By questioning the goal of tapas, the verse implicitly points to Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-upasana) as a disciplined path where intention matters: devotion and surrender for purification and grace lead toward moksha, not simply ritual power for victory.
The verse suggests examining one’s sankalpa (spiritual resolve) before practice; in Shaiva contexts this is commonly expressed through steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined tapas performed with the aim of purification and liberation.