Adhyāya 284: Tapas as a Corrective to Household Attachment
Parāśara’s Instruction
एवमुक्त्वा महादेव: सपत्नीक: सहानुग: । अदर्शनमनुप्राप्तो दक्षस्पामितविक्रम:
evam uktvā mahādevaḥ sapatnīkaḥ sahānugaḥ | adarśanam anuprāpto dakṣaspāmitavikramaḥ ||
Pagkasabi nito, si Mahādeva—kasama ang kaniyang kabiyak at sinusundan ng mga tagasunod—ay naglaho sa paningin, matapos ipamalas ang di-masukat na kapangyarihan sa pangyayaring handog-yajña ni Dakṣa.
भीष्म उवाच
Power aligned with dharma acts decisively to curb arrogance and restore order, then withdraws without attachment. The verse hints that ritual status or social pride cannot override moral truth; divine authority is ultimately ethical, not merely ceremonial.
After delivering his words, Mahādeva, accompanied by his consort and attendants, becomes invisible—departing the scene—having demonstrated extraordinary might in connection with Dakṣa’s sacrificial episode.