Shloka 29
Omens and Consolation after Loss; Reaffirmation of the Saindhava Punishment Vow (उत्पात-दर्शनम्, आश्वासन-वाक्यानि, प्रतिज्ञा-स्थैर्यम्)
मृत्यो किमिदमत्यन्तं तपांसि चरसीति ह । ततोअब्रवीत् पुनर्मुत्युर्भगवन्तं पितामहम्,“मृत्यो! तू किसलिये इस प्रकार अत्यन्त कठोर तपस्या कर रही है?” तब मृत्युने भगवान् पितामहसे फिर इस प्रकार कहा--
mṛtyo kim idam atyantaṃ tapāṃsi carasīti ha | tato 'bravīt punar mṛtyur bhagavantaṃ pitāmaham ||
मृत्यो किमिदमत्यन्तं तपांसि चरसीति ह । ततोऽब्रवीत् पुनर्मृत्युर्भगवन्तं पितामहम् ॥
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical question about the role of Death within dharma: even forces of punishment and dissolution are expected to act with purpose and restraint, and their actions (like severe tapas) invite scrutiny regarding their alignment with cosmic order.
Nārada questions why the personified Death is performing extremely harsh austerities. The scene then shifts as Death turns again to address Pitāmaha (Brahmā), indicating an ongoing dialogue about Death’s function and intentions.