Shloka 86
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
त॑ं वै शतमुख: प्राह योगो भवतु मे5द्भुत: । बलं॑ च दैवतश्रेष्ठ शाश्वतं सम्प्रयच्छ मे
taṁ vai śatamukhaḥ prāha yogo bhavatu me 'dbhutaḥ | balaṁ ca daivataśreṣṭha śāśvataṁ samprayaccha me ||
तं वै शतमुखः प्राह— ‘योगो भवतु मेऽद्भुतः। बलं च दैवतश्रेष्ठ शाश्वतं सम्प्रयच्छ मे।’
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension in seeking divine gifts: yogic power and lasting strength are ethically neutral in themselves, but their pursuit and use must be restrained by dharma; otherwise, boons can amplify ego, violence, or injustice.
A petitioner named Śatamukha addresses a supreme deity (called 'best of the gods') and asks for two boons—marvelous yogic power and permanent strength—within a typical Mahābhārata boon-granting episode.