Shloka 8

Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya

Devanagari script

उञ्छवृत्त्यार्जितान् बीजान् स्वयं पिष्ट्वा च सा तदा बीजपिष्टं तदालोड्य तोयेन कलभाषिणी

Transliteration

uñchavṛttyārjitān bījān svayaṃ piṣṭvā ca sā tadā bījapiṣṭaṃ tadāloḍya toyena kalabhāṣiṇī

Translation

Bấy giờ, nàng—giọng nói ngọt lành—lấy những hạt thóc nhặt được theo hạnh uñcha-vṛtti (mót lúa), tự tay giã nghiền; rồi khuấy bột ấy với nước, sửa soạn làm vật thực dâng cúng và nuôi thân, trong tinh thần khổ hạnh kỷ luật, hòa hợp với Đấng Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• uñcha-vṛttyā: by the livelihood of gleaning

• arjitān: obtained/earned

• bījān: grains/seeds

• svayam: herself

• piṣṭvā: having ground/pounded

• ca: and

• sā: she

• tadā: then

• bīja-piṣṭam: paste/flour of the grains

• tat: that

• āloḍya: having mixed/stirred

• toyena: with water

• kalabhāṣiṇī: sweet-voiced woman (lit. one who speaks like a young elephant/softly)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

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).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

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.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

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.