Shloka 17
Manu Offers Devahūti to Kardama; The Sage Accepts with a Devotional Vow
यां हर्म्यपृष्ठे क्वणदङ्घ्रिशोभां विक्रीडतीं कन्दुकविह्वलाक्षीम् । विश्वावसुर्न्यपतत्स्वाद्विमाना- द्विलोक्य सम्मोहविमूढचेता: ॥ १७ ॥
yāṁ harmya-pṛṣṭhe kvaṇad-aṅghri-śobhāṁ vikrīḍatīṁ kanduka-vihvalākṣīm viśvāvasur nyapatat svād vimānād vilokya sammoha-vimūḍha-cetāḥ
আমি শুনেছি, প্রাসাদের ছাদে নূপুরঝংকারে শোভিত পদযুগলসহ বল নিয়ে খেলতে থাকা, চঞ্চল দৃষ্টির তোমার কন্যাকে দেখে গন্ধর্ব বিশ্বাবসু মোহাবিষ্ট হয়ে নিজের বিমানে থেকে পড়ে গিয়েছিল।
It is understood that not only at the present moment but in those days also there were skyscrapers. Herein we find the word harmya-pṛṣṭhe. Harmya means “a very big palatial building.” Svād vimānāt means “from his own airplane.” It is suggested that private airplanes or helicopters were also current in those days. The Gandharva Viśvāvasu, while flying in the sky, could see Devahūti playing ball on the roof of the palace. Ball playing was also current, but aristocratic girls would not play in a public place. Ball playing and other such pleasures were not meant for ordinary women and girls; only princesses like Devahūti could indulge in such sports. It is described here that she was seen from the flying airplane. This indicates that the palace was very high, otherwise how could one see her from an airplane? The vision was so distinct that the Gandharva Viśvāvasu was bewildered by her beauty and by hearing the sound of her ankle bangles, and being captivated by the sound and beauty, he fell down. Kardama Muni mentioned the incident as he had heard it.
FAQs
This verse shows how mere sight of beauty can bewilder even a celestial being like Viśvāvasu, illustrating the Bhagavatam’s warning that uncontrolled senses lead to moha and loss of steadiness.
Viśvāvasu is a Gandharva. Seeing Devahūti playing on the palace roof, he became infatuated and mentally stunned, and thus fell from his own celestial airplane.
Guard the senses and attention—especially the eyes and mind—by cultivating discipline and devotion, so attraction does not overwhelm judgment and spiritual focus.