Shloka 38
Narmadā
Revā) Tīrtha Greatness: The Gandharva Maidens’ Curse Narrative (Acchodā Episode Begins
गाधिसंभवपराशरादयः कंडुदेवलमुखाश्च ये द्विजाः । तेऽपि योगि बलिनो विमोहिताः लीलया तदबलाभिरद्भुतम्
gādhisaṃbhavaparāśarādayaḥ kaṃḍudevalamukhāśca ye dvijāḥ | te'pi yogi balino vimohitāḥ līlayā tadabalābhiradbhutam
حتى الحكماء مثل باراشارا، المنحدر من سلالة غادهي، وغيرُه من «ثنائيّي الميلاد» ككاندو وديفالا؛ حتى أولئك اليوغيون الأقوياء أُدهشوا وأُوقعوا في الحيرة، على نحو عجيب، بقدرة أولئك النساء اللاعبة.
Unspecified (narratorial verse within the Svargakhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Even accomplished yogins can be deluded by līlā when vigilance (apramāda) and sense-restraint are not perfected.
Application: Do not overestimate spiritual progress; maintain humility, guard the senses, and anchor the mind in a higher object (nāma, mantra, service).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of venerable sages—Parāśara, Kaṇḍu, Devala—sit in yogic posture, their matted locks and prayer beads contrasting with the sudden arrival of radiant women whose laughter ripples like a spell. The sages’ eyes widen in astonishment as their meditation breaks, showing the paradox of great power meeting playful delusion.","primary_figures":["Parāśara","Kaṇḍu","Devala","bewitching women/apsarases (tad-abalāḥ)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama clearing with sacrificial fire, deer-skins, and flowering trees; a subtle celestial shimmer suggests Svarga’s influence.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["smoky ash gray","leaf green","sunlit gold","coral pink","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: ascetics with gold-embossed halos of tapas seated near a small homa-kunda, contrasted by apsarases in jewel-toned silks; heavy gold leaf on ornaments and firelight, dramatic expressions of ‘vimohita’ on sages’ faces, ornate border motifs of vines and flames.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined forest scene with delicate blossoms and soft light; sages rendered with subtle emotion—surprise and inner conflict—while apsarases appear airy and graceful; cool shadows, lyrical naturalism, fine textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized apsarases with elaborate hair and ornaments, sages with pronounced eyes and expressive brows; warm reds/yellows/greens, decorative foliage bands, temple-wall grandeur emphasizing the ‘adbhuta’ shock.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: patterned forest-lotus hybrid space, apsarases framed by floral borders and peacocks; sages seated in a row like a devotional frieze, the ‘līlā’ shown as swirling decorative ribbons around them, deep blue ground with gold highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","sudden laughter","fire crackle","distant thunder"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तेऽपि = ते + अपि; गाधिसंभवपराशरादयः treated as dvandva list with आदयः; कंडुदेवलमुखाः = कण्डु + देवल + मुखाः; तदबलाभिः = तत् + अबलाभिः
FAQs
It underscores that even highly accomplished sages and powerful yogins can be overcome by moha (bewilderment), highlighting the need for vigilance and inner mastery.
They are well-known rishis (Brahmin sages) in Sanskrit tradition, cited here as exemplars of spiritual power who nonetheless became susceptible to delusion.
The verse’s emphasis is on the power of fascination/temptation and the fragility of the unguarded mind; traditional readings often treat “women” here as a narrative vehicle for kāma and moha rather than a blanket moral judgment about women as such.