Shloka 52
Kāṣṭhīla-Upākhyāna: Rākṣasī, Spear-Śakti, and Kāśī as Śakti-kṣetra
तदा तेन मृषा वाक्यमुक्तं मद्भक्षणार्थकम् । तन्निशम्याह मां बद्धा स्वयं चास्थानि दर्शनात् ॥ ५२ ॥
tadā tena mṛṣā vākyamuktaṃ madbhakṣaṇārthakam | tanniśamyāha māṃ baddhā svayaṃ cāsthāni darśanāt || 52 ||
তখন সে আমাকে গ্রাস করার উদ্দেশ্যে মিথ্যা কথা বলল। তা শুনে সে নিজেই আমাকে বেঁধে দিল, আর অস্থি দেখে (আরও) নিশ্চিত হয়ে তেমনই করল।
Suta (narrating a tirtha-mahatmya episode within Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhayanaka","secondary_rasa":"bibhatsa","emotional_journey":"A sudden turn to danger (a lie meant for devouring), followed by grim confirmation (bones) and coercive action (binding), intensifying fear and revulsion."}
FAQs
It highlights how deceit (mṛṣā-vākya) driven by harmful intent leads to immediate adverse outcomes, reinforcing the Purāṇic ethic of satya (truthfulness) and ahiṃsā (non-harm).
Indirectly, it supports bhakti by contrasting it with predatory intention and falsehood—devotion to Viṣṇu is grounded in truth, compassion, and restraint, not manipulation or violence.
The verse mainly teaches dharmic conduct rather than a Vedāṅga technique; the key takeaway is disciplined speech (satya-vāk), a foundational virtue supporting all śāstric practice and ritual integrity.