Shloka 96
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
प्रसाद्य देवान् सविभून् समस्तान् भगीरथस्तपसोग्रेण गड्भाम् । गामानयत् तामभिगम्य शश्चत् पुंसां भयं नेह चामुत्र विद्यात्
prasādya devān savibhūn samastān bhagīrathas tapaso greṇa gaṅgām | gām ānayat tām abhigamya śaśvat puṁsāṁ bhayaṁ neha cāmutra vidyāt ||
Sa pamamagitan ng matinding pag-aayuno at pagninilay (tapas), pinalugod ni Haring Bhagīratha ang lahat ng mga diyos, kasama ang Dakilang Panginoon (Śiva), at ibinaba ang ilog na Gaṅgā sa lupaing ito. Ang sinumang lumalapit sa kanya upang kumalinga ay nagiging malaya sa takot—sa daigdig na ito at sa daigdig na darating—magpakailanman.
सिद्ध उवाच
Educational Q&A
Intense, disciplined tapas undertaken with devotion can win divine favor, and taking refuge in a sacred, divinely-sanctioned source (here, Gaṅgā) is presented as a means to freedom from fear in both worldly life and the afterlife.
A Siddha recounts how King Bhagīratha, through severe austerities, pleased all the gods along with Śiva and brought Gaṅgā down to earth; the verse then states the fruit of approaching Gaṅgā—fearlessness here and hereafter.