Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya
उञ्छवृत्त्यार्जितान् बीजान् स्वयं पिष्ट्वा च सा तदा बीजपिष्टं तदालोड्य तोयेन कलभाषिणी
uñchavṛttyārjitān bījān svayaṃ piṣṭvā ca sā tadā bījapiṣṭaṃ tadāloḍya toyena kalabhāṣiṇī
اُنچھ ورتّی سے چُنے ہوئے اناج کے بیج اُس شیریں گفتار نے اپنے ہی ہاتھوں سے پیسے۔ پھر پانی ملا کر اُس پیسٹ کو خوب گھول کر، پتی (شیو) کے موافق منضبط تپسیا کے بھاؤ سے نذر و خوراک کے لیے تیار کیا۔
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It emphasizes that the purity of Linga-pūjā depends not only on ritual items but on dharmic livelihood and self-effort—offerings prepared from disciplined means weaken pasha (bondage) and turn the pashu (soul) toward Pati (Śiva).
Śiva-tattva is approached here as Pati—the Lord who is pleased by inner purity, restraint, and sincerity; the verse implies that devotion expressed through tapas and ethical living is a direct orientation toward Śiva beyond mere external display.
Uñcha-vṛtti (gleaning-based subsistence) as a niyama-like discipline: minimizing possession, purifying food and offerings, and supporting a tapas-driven life that aids Pashupata-aligned self-control.