Shloka 23
Vaitaraṇī-tīrtha and the Devayāna Path
Kaliṅga Episode
पाण्डुनन्दन! उनकी तपस्यासे प्रसन्न हुई पृथ्वी पुन जलसे ऊपर उठकर वेदीके रूपमें स्थित हो गयी ।। सैषा प्रकाशते राजन् वेदी संस्थानलक्षणा । आरुद्मात्र महाराज वीर्यवान् वै भविष्यसि,राजन! वह पृथ्वी देवी ही यहाँ इस मिट्टीकी वेदीके रूपमें प्रकाशित हो रही है। महाराज! इसपर आरुढ़ होकर तुम बल-पराक्रमसे सम्पन्न हो जाओगे
pāṇḍunandana! tasyāḥ tapasyā prasannā bhūmiḥ punaḥ jalasyopari utthāya vedīrūpeṇa saṃsthitā. sā eṣā prakāśate rājan vedī-saṃsthāna-lakṣaṇā. ārūḍhamātraḥ mahārāja vīryavān vai bhaviṣyasi.
Lomaśa disse: “Ó filho de Pāṇḍu! Satisfeita com as suas austeridades, a Terra ergueu-se novamente acima das águas e ficou estabelecida na forma de um altar sacrificial. Ó rei, ela se mostra aqui—marcada pelo próprio contorno de um altar. Grande rei, no instante em que subires a este altar, serás dotado de força e poder heroico.”
लोमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity (tapas) aligned with dharma draws divine grace: the Earth herself responds, and rightful action performed in a sanctified setting (the altar) becomes a source of legitimate strength rather than mere aggression.
Lomaśa points out a miraculous altar-like formation: the Earth, pleased by austerities, has risen above the waters and stands as a vedī. He tells the kingly Pāṇḍava that simply ascending this altar will confer vigor and heroic power.