Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 107
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
तस्य तुष्टो महादेवो जगौ देवगुरुगगुरु: । तेजसा तपसा कीर्त्या त्वत्ममो न भविष्यति
tasya tuṣṭo mahādevo jagau devagurur guruḥ | tejasā tapasā kīrtyā tvat-samo na bhaviṣyati ||
婆苏提婆说道：“大天（Mahādeva，湿婆）因他而欢喜，遂宣告——那位连诸天亦奉为师的尊者：‘在光辉（tejas）、在苦行之力（tapas）、在名声（kīrti）上，必无人能与你比肩。’”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that excellence is grounded in tejas (inner radiance and strength), tapas (disciplined austerity), and kīrti (earned reputation). Divine favor is portrayed as responding to such sustained virtue and effort, culminating in a blessing of unsurpassed stature.
Vāsudeva recounts a moment where Mahādeva, pleased with a person’s conduct or austerities, publicly declares a boon: that no one will match that person in splendour, ascetic power, and fame—an affirmation of attained merit and divine approval.