Shloka 21
ध्रुवस्य तपः — देवमायाविघ्नाः, विष्णोर्दर्शनम्, स्तुतिः, ध्रुवस्थानप्रदानम्
परित्यजति वत्साद्य यद्य् एतन् न भवांस् तपः त्यक्ष्याम्य् अहम् अपि प्राणांस् ततो वै पश्यतस् तव
parityajati vatsādya yady etan na bhavāṃs tapaḥ tyakṣyāmy aham api prāṇāṃs tato vai paśyatas tava
“నీవు ఈ తపస్సును వదలకపోతే—దాని ఆరంభమే వత్సాన్ని విడిచిపెట్టడం—నేను కూడా ప్రాణాలను విడిచిపెడతాను, అది నీ కళ్లముందే.”
A determined interlocutor within the dynastic narrative (a spouse/close family member addressing an ascetic-minded figure); framed overall by Sage Parāśara narrating to Maitreya
FAQs
The verse portrays tapas as a severe resolve that can demand the renunciation of even the dearest attachments; it also highlights the ethical and emotional tensions such austerity can create within family life.
Through vivid interpersonal dialogue inside lineage narratives, Parāśara shows how vows and ascetic impulses are tested by relational responsibilities, making dharma a lived, consequential choice rather than an abstract rule.
Even when Vishnu is not named in a given verse, the Purana’s dynastic episodes function as dharma-instruction under Vishnu’s sovereign order—implying that right conduct and restraint ultimately align with the Supreme Reality that sustains the world.