Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 226
Baka Dālbhya at Avakīrṇa-tīrtha: Rāṣṭra-kṣaya and Release through Prasāda (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 40)
तप: परं मनन््यमानस्तपस्येव मनो दथधे | उन्होंने विश्वामित्रकी सेनापर आक्रमण करके उनके सैनिकोंको सम्पूर्ण दिशाओं में मार भगाया। गाधिनन्दन विश्वामित्रने जब यह सुना कि मेरी सेना भाग गयी तो तपको ही अधिक प्रबल मानकर तपस्यामें ही मन लगाया
tapaḥ paraṃ manyamānas tapasy eva mano dadhade | viśvāmitrasya senām ākrāmya tān sainikān sarvāsu dikṣu samantād vidhāya prādrāvayat | gādhinandano viśvāmitro yadā śuśrāva—“mama senā palāyitā”—tadā tapa eva balavattaraṃ matvā tapasyāṃ manaḥ samādhāya nyaveśayat |
Itinuring niyang pinakamataas ang kapangyarihan ng tapas, kaya’t itinuon niya ang isip sa mahigpit na pag-aayuno at pagninilay. Matapos salakayin ang hukbo ni Viśvāmitra, pinangalat niya ang mga kawal at pinalayas silang tumakas sa lahat ng dako. Nang marinig ni Viśvāmitra, anak ni Gādhi, na nagkawatak-watak at tumakas ang kaniyang hukbo, hinatulan niyang mas makapangyarihan ang tapas, kaya’t sa halip na gumanti ay bumaling siya sa loob at nagpakalubog sa penitensiya.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage contrasts external force with inner power: when worldly strength collapses, the wiser response is to recognize the supremacy of self-discipline (tapas) and redirect the mind toward spiritual effort rather than escalating violence.
An attacker strikes Viśvāmitra’s army and routs it in all directions. Hearing that his troops have fled, Viśvāmitra (son of Gādhi) concludes that tapas is the more potent resource and resolves to engage in austerities.
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