Shloka 8
The Greatness of Gayā
Gayā-Māhātmya
तपश्चक्रे महाघोरं सर्वभूतोपतापनम् । तत्तपस्तापिता देवास्तद्वधार्थं हरिं गताः ॥ ८ ॥
tapaścakre mahāghoraṃ sarvabhūtopatāpanam | tattapastāpitā devāstadvadhārthaṃ hariṃ gatāḥ || 8 ||
तपश्चक्रे महाघोरं सर्वभूतोपतापनम्; तत्तपस्तापिता देवास्तद्वधार्थं हरिं गताः।
Nārada (narrating within the Purāṇic dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It warns that tapas, when driven by harmful intent, becomes adharmic and destabilizing; the divine order is restored when the devas seek refuge in Hari, the protector of the worlds.
The devas respond to crisis by surrendering to Hari rather than relying solely on their own power, illustrating śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as a core movement of bhakti.
The verse implicitly reflects dharma-śāstric discernment: austerity must align with righteous intention and cosmic welfare; otherwise it becomes a cause of disturbance requiring divine intervention.