Shloka 3
संधेयासंधेय-पुरुषनिर्णयः (Criteria for Allies and Non-Allies) — with the opening of the Gautama narrative
तपसैव ससर्जान्न फलमूलानि यानि च । त्रील्लॉकांस्तपसा सिद्धा: पश्यन्ति सुसमाहिता:,जो-जो फल, मूल और अन्न हैं, उनको विधाताने तपसे ही उत्पन्न किया है। तपस्यासे सिद्ध हुए एकाग्रचित्त महात्मा पुरुष तीनों लोकोंको प्रत्यक्ष देखते हैं
tapasāiva sasarjānna-phala-mūlāni yāni ca | trīl lokāṁs tapasā siddhāḥ paśyanti susamāhitāḥ ||
Bhīṣma disse: “É pela austeridade apenas que o Criador fez surgir o alimento, os frutos e as raízes. E as grandes almas que alcançaram a perfeição pela austeridade—firmes e profundamente concentradas—contemplam diretamente os três mundos.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Tapas (disciplined austerity) is presented as both a cosmic creative force—by which sustenance like food, fruits, and roots arise—and a spiritual force that purifies and concentrates the mind, enabling perfected sages to directly perceive the three worlds.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and higher conduct, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira about the power of tapas: it underlies creation and supports extraordinary knowledge/vision in those who have attained steadiness and inner collectedness.