ततश्च सर्वदेवेभ्यस्तेजोरूपबलाधिकः । बुधः सोमं समापृच्छय तपसे कृतनिश्चयः
tataśca sarvadevebhyastejorūpabalādhikaḥ | budhaḥ somaṃ samāpṛcchaya tapase kṛtaniścayaḥ
பின்னர் ஒளி, உருவம், வலிமை ஆகியவற்றில் எல்லாத் தேவர்களையும் மிஞ்சிய புதன், தவம் செய்ய உறுதி கொண்டு சோமனை அணுகி வினவினான்।
Skanda (to Agastya, deduced from Kāśīkhaṇḍa context)
Scene: Budha, youthful and radiant, stands before Soma with composed intensity; his aura outshines surrounding devas; his posture shows resolve to undertake austerity; Soma appears regal and lunar-bright, receiving the question.
Spiritual maturity is shown by firm resolve (niścaya) and turning toward tapas to clarify destiny and purpose.
The verse anticipates Budha’s journey to Kāśī, the foremost mokṣa-kṣetra.
Tapas (austerity) is indicated as Budha’s chosen discipline, though details appear later.