Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
पश्य भद्ठे यथा भावाश्षित्रा दृष्टा: सुदुर्लभा: । प्रसादाद् भगुमुख्यस्य किमन्यत्र तपोबलात्
paśya bhadre yathā bhāvāś citrā dṛṣṭāḥ sudurlabhāḥ | prasādād bhṛgumukhyasya kim anyatra tapobalāt ||
毗湿摩说道:“贤淑的夫人啊,且看——这等奇妙而极其罕有的显现,竟为我等所见。若非婆利古族中最尊者垂恩,此等景象从何而来?除由苦行所生之力外,又有何力能赐此?”
भीष्म उवाच
Extraordinary spiritual experiences are not random; they are attributed to the combined force of tapas (disciplined austerity) and the prasāda (grace) of a realized sage. The verse highlights that rare attainments arise from inner discipline supported by higher blessing.
Bhīṣma addresses a woman respectfully (“bhadre”) and points to some marvelous, rare phenomena that have been witnessed. He explains their cause as the favor of an eminent Bhṛgu-sage, implying that such events are possible only through ascetic power and spiritual merit.