Shloka 14
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
ततो मामब्रवीत् प्रीतस्तप आतिष्ठ भारत । तपस्वी नचिरेण त्वं द्रक्ष्स्से विबुधाधिपम्
tato mām abravīt prītas tapa ātiṣṭha bhārata | tapasvī na cireṇa tvaṁ drakṣyase vibudhādhipam ||
Rồi, trong niềm hoan hỷ, ông nói với ta: “Hỡi Bhārata, hãy nương tựa nơi khổ hạnh—hãy thực hành tapas. Khi ngươi kiên định trong hạnh tu, chẳng bao lâu nữa ngươi sẽ được diện kiến Đế Thích (Indra), chúa tể chư thiên.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that disciplined austerity (tapas)—steadfast self-restraint and spiritual effort—is a legitimate dharmic means to gain divine vision and empowerment, implying that inner purification precedes higher attainments.
Arjuna reports that someone, pleased with him, instructs him to undertake tapas; by doing so, Arjuna is promised a near-future audience with Indra, the king of the gods.