Shloka 20
Adhyāya 71: Kaca and the Saṃjīvanī-vidyā
Devayānī–Śukra Episode
कण्व उवाच तप्यमान: किल पुरा विश्वामित्रो महत् तप: । सुभृशं तापयामास शक्रं सुरगणेश्चरम्,कण्व बोले--पहलेकी बात है, महर्षि विश्वामित्र बड़ी भारी तपस्या कर रहे थे। उन्होंने देवताओंके स्वामी इन्द्रको अपनी तपस्यासे अत्यन्त संतापमें डाल दिया
kaṇva uvāca tapyamānaḥ kila purā viśvāmitro mahat tapaḥ | subhṛśaṃ tāpayāmāsa śakraṃ suragaṇeśvaram ||
قال كانفا: في سالف الزمان—كما يُروى—كان فيشفاميترا يمارس تَقَشُّفًا عظيمًا. وبحرارة تَبَسِه الشديدة آذى شَكْرَ (إندرا)، سيّد جموع الآلهة، إيذاءً بالغًا.
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the potency of tapas (disciplined austerity): inner spiritual force can challenge even established cosmic authority. Ethically, it cautions that power—whether royal or ascetic—creates tension when driven by ambition, and it sets the stage for trials meant to check or redirect such power.
Kaṇva begins a past account: Viśvāmitra undertakes severe austerities, and the intensity of his tapas causes distress to Indra (Śakra), the leader of the gods—implying that Indra becomes concerned and will respond to this rising ascetic power.