Shloka 13
Arjuna–Gaṇa Saṃvāda: Bāṇādhikāra, Tāpasa-veṣa, and the Ethics of Tapas (अर्जुन-गणसंवादः)
तपःफलं कथं त्वं च हातुमिच्छसि तापस । चौर्य्याच्छलार्द्यमानाच्च विस्मयात्सत्य भञ्जनात्
tapaḥphalaṃ kathaṃ tvaṃ ca hātumicchasi tāpasa | cauryyācchalārdyamānācca vismayātsatya bhañjanāt
హే తాపసా! నీవు నీ తపస్సు ఫలాన్ని ఎలా విడిచిపెట్టాలని కోరుతున్నావు? అది దొంగతనం, మోసం చేత బాధింపబడుతోంది; మోహం వల్ల సత్యభంగమూ జరుగుతోంది.
Lord Shiva (as the inner guide instructing an ascetic on preserving tapas through satya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse warns that tapas bears fruit only when guarded by satya (truth) and clear discernment; deceit, theft, and delusion corrode spiritual merit and obstruct the soul’s approach to Pati (Shiva).
Linga-worship is not merely external; Saguna Shiva is pleased when the devotee’s conduct is aligned with dharma—especially truthfulness—so that worship becomes a pure channel for Shiva’s grace rather than a display tainted by छल (deceit).
Practice daily self-audit (satya-vrata): recite the Panchakshara mantra "Om Namaḥ Śivāya" with a vow of truth, and avoid छल/caurya in thought, speech, and action—thereby preserving the power of tapas.