Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 127
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
अप्रसाद्य विरूपाक्षं वरदं स्थाणुमव्ययम् । कुत: क्षीरोदनं वत्स सुखानि वसनानि च
aprasādya virūpākṣaṃ varadaṃ sthāṇum avyayam | kutaḥ kṣīrodanaṃ vatsa sukhāni vasanāni ca ||
Wika ni Vāsudeva: “Anak, kung hindi muna mapalugod si Virūpākṣa—ang Panginoong nagbibigay ng biyaya, laging matatag at di-nasisira—paano magkakaroon ng kaning may gatas, ng mga aliw na maginhawa, at ng mararangyang kasuotan?”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Material comforts and social well-being are portrayed as dependent on dharmic conduct and divine favor; one should first honor and propitiate the boon-giving, imperishable Lord (here, Śiva as Virūpākṣa) rather than seeking pleasures directly.
Vāsudeva addresses a younger listener (“vatsa”), stressing that without pleasing Virūpākṣa (Śiva), one cannot expect even basic luxuries like milk-rice, enjoyable comforts, and good clothing—framing prosperity as the fruit of reverence and right worship.