Shloka 73
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
तोषयित्वा शुभान् कामान् प्राप्तवन्तो जनार्दन । जनार्दन! यहाँ सुरश्रेष्ठ महादेवजीको तपस्या
vāsudeva uvāca | toṣayitvā śubhān kāmān prāptavanto janārdana | janārdana! iha suraśreṣṭha-mahādevajīṃ tapasā brahmacaryeṇa satyena indriya-saṃyamena ca santoṣya pūrvaṃ bahavo devā maharṣayaś ca sva-śubhāṃś ca manorathān prāptavantaḥ || meru-kampanaḥ hiraṇyakaśipur nāma dānavaḥ pūrvam abhūt | tena śarvāt sarvāmara-aiśvaryaṃ samārbudam (daśa-koṭi-varṣāṇi) prāptam ||
Wika ni Vāsudeva: “O Janārdana, dito noong unang panahon, napakaraming diyos at dakilang rishi ang nagpalugod kay Mahādeva—pinakamataas sa mga diyos—sa pamamagitan ng tapas, brahmacarya, katotohanan, at pagpipigil sa mga pandama; at natamo nila ang kanilang mabubuting hangarin. Tunay, ang asurang si Hiraṇyakaśipu, na kayang magpanginig maging sa Bundok Meru, ay minsang nagkamit mula kay Śarva (Śiva) ng paghahari at karangyaan ng lahat ng diyos sa loob ng isang ‘arbuda’—sampung crore na taon.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Auspicious aims are achieved by disciplined virtues—tapas (austerity), brahmacarya (regulated celibate conduct), satya (truth), and indriya-saṃyama (sense-restraint). The passage underscores that spiritual power and even extraordinary boons are linked to ethical self-mastery and sustained discipline.
Vāsudeva addresses Janārdana and cites precedents: many gods and sages previously pleased Mahādeva through ascetic virtues and gained their desired ends. As a striking example, he mentions the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu, famed for shaking Meru, who obtained from Śiva the sovereignty of the gods for an immense duration (an arbuda, explained as ten crores of years).