Shloka 17
Adhyāya 136: Yavakrī–Bharadvāja Saṃvāda and the Bāladhī–Dhanuṣākṣa Gāthā
Arrogance, Boons, and Nimitta
स समिद्धे महत्यग्नौ शरीरमुपतापयन् । जनयामास संतापमिन्द्रस्य सुमहातपा:
sa samiddhe mahātyagnau śarīram upatāpayan | janayāmāsa santāpam indrasya sumahātapāḥ ||
Wika ni Lomaśa: Habang pinaiinit niya ang sariling katawan sa isang napakalaking apoy na naglalagablab, ang makapangyarihang asceta ay nagbunsod ng matinding pagdurusa sa loob ni Indra—ang kanyang tapas ay naging puwersang gumambala maging sa panginoon ng mga diyos. Ipinakikita ng pangyayaring ito na ang tapas, kapag isinagawa nang may di-matitinag na paninindigan, ay nagkakamit ng lakas na moral at kosmiko, at pinipilit kahit ang makapangyarihan na harapin ang layunin at pagpipigil ng asceta.
लोमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the extraordinary potency of tapas (austerity): disciplined self-suffering and restraint can generate spiritual power that obliges even divine authorities like Indra to respond. Ethically, it points to the seriousness of intention and self-control—power is not only political or martial, but also moral and ascetic.
Lomaśa describes a great ascetic performing a severe penance by heating his body in a blazing fire. The intensity of this tapas produces ‘santāpa’—disturbance and anxiety—in Indra, signaling that the ascetic’s growing power has cosmic repercussions and draws the attention of the gods.