Shloka 27
Suvarṇa-dāna: Kārttikeya’s Origin and the Defeat of Tāraka (सुवर्णदान-प्रसङ्गे कार्त्तिकेय-उत्पत्ति तथा तारकवधः)
पुत्रार्थममरश्रेष्ठ पादेनैकेन नित्यदा । तां तु दृष्टवा महादेवीं तप्यमानां महत्तप:
putrārtham amarāśreṣṭha pādenaikena nityadā | tāṁ tu dṛṣṭvā mahādevīṁ tapyamānāṁ mahattapaḥ ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Ó melhor dos imortais, para obter um filho, ela permanecia sempre de pé sobre um só pé. Ao ver aquela grande deusa empenhada em tamanha austeridade, (ele também foi tocado pelo poder do seu tapas).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-spiritual idea that steadfast self-discipline (tapas) undertaken with a clear intention—here, the desire for progeny—has transformative power and can draw divine attention and grace. It also underscores perseverance (nityadā) as central to effective spiritual effort.
Bhīṣma describes a scene where a revered goddess is performing severe austerities—standing continually on one foot—motivated by the wish to obtain a son. The narration sets up the significance of her tapas and its impact on those who witness it.