Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 134
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
अम्बोवाच दुर्विज्ञेयो महादेवो दुराधारो दुरन्तक: । दुराबाधश्र दुर्ग्राह्मो दुर्दुश्यो हकृतात्मभि:
ambovāca durvijñeyo mahādevo durādhāro durantakaḥ | durābādhaś ca durgrāhyo durdarśyo hy akṛtātmabhiḥ ||
安芭说道：“摩诃提婆极难了悟；难以安置于心；而求得其境，重重险阻。对于未能自制其心者，他难以亲近，难以把握，甚至难以瞻见。”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Knowledge and realization of Mahādeva are not merely intellectual; they require inner discipline. Without self-mastery (control of mind and senses), the divine remains difficult to comprehend, approach, and directly experience.
Amba is speaking about the nature of Mahādeva (Śiva), emphasizing his transcendence and the practical difficulty of attaining him, especially for those lacking self-control. The statement frames devotion and austerity as demanding inner qualification.