Shloka 94
Adhyāya 284: Tapas as a Corrective to Household Attachment
Parāśara’s Instruction
आप वृष ([वृष्टिकर्ता), वृष्य (धर्मकी वृद्धि करनेवाले), गोवृष (नन्दी) और वृष (धर्म) आदि नामोंसे प्रसिद्ध हैं। कटंकट (नित्य गतिशील), दण्ड (शासक) और पचपच (सम्पूर्ण भूतोंको पचानेवाला काल) भी आपके ही नाम हैं। आपको नमस्कार है ।।
āpa vṛṣa (vṛṣṭikartā), vṛṣya (dharmakī vṛddhi karanevāle), govṛṣa (nandī) aura vṛṣa (dharma) ādi nāmoṃ se prasiddha haiṃ. kaṭaṅkaṭa (nitya gatiśīla), daṇḍa (śāsaka) aura pacapaca (sampūrṇa bhūtoṃ ko pacānevālā kāla) bhī āpake hī nāma haiṃ. āpako namaskāra hai. namaḥ sarvavariṣṭhāya varāya varadāya ca | varamālyagandhavastrāya varātivarade namaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Ikaw ay tanyag sa mga pangalang Vṛṣa—tagapagbigay ng ulan, Vṛṣya—tagapagpalago ng dharma, Govṛṣa—si Nandī, at Vṛṣa—ang Dharma mismo. Kaṭaṅkaṭa—laging kumikilos; Daṇḍa—ang namumuno at nagpapairal ng disiplina; at Pacapaca—ang Panahong ‘nagluluto’ at lumalamon sa lahat ng nilalang—mga pangalan mo rin ang mga ito. Pagpupugay sa iyo. Pagpupugay sa pinakadakila sa lahat ng dakila, sa Kataas-taasan, sa Tagapagkaloob ng biyaya; sa may suot na maringal na kasuotan, kuwintas ng bulaklak at halimuyak; pagpupugay sa Tagapagkaloob ng biyayang higit pa sa biyaya, na nagbibigay sa deboto ayon sa ninanais, at higit pa roon.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the deity as the source of cosmic order (Dharma), governance and moral restraint (Daṇḍa), and inevitable transformation/consumption (Kāla). Ethically, it teaches that righteousness, just discipline, and acceptance of time’s supremacy are all facets of the same higher principle worthy of reverence.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs and consoles after the war, often turning to theological reflection. Here he offers a stuti (praise) by reciting divine names and functions—rain-giver, increaser of dharma, Nandī-associated, ruler through punishment, and Time itself—culminating in salutations to the supreme boon-giver adorned with divine garments, garlands, and fragrance.