Shloka 21
Sat-saṅga, Dharma-Nīti, Karma-Phala, Śauca, and Vairāgya
Overcoming Grief
दुगस्त्रिकूटः परिखा समुद्रो रक्षांसि योधाः परमा च वृत्तिः / शास्त्रञ्च वै तूशनसा प्रदिष्टं स रावणः कालवशाद्विनष्टः
dugastrikūṭaḥ parikhā samudro rakṣāṃsi yodhāḥ paramā ca vṛttiḥ / śāstrañca vai tūśanasā pradiṣṭaṃ sa rāvaṇaḥ kālavaśādvinaṣṭaḥ
Obwohl seine Befestigungen gewaltig waren — Trikūṭa als Zitadelle, der Ozean als Graben, die Rākṣasas als Krieger und eine höchste Kunst der Herrschaft — und obwohl er die Lehren und Strategien besaß, die Śukra (Uśanas) ihm verkündet hatte, ging jener Rāvaṇa dennoch zugrunde, vom Machtwort der Zeit bezwungen.
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Even supreme fortifications, armies, and expert counsel (Śukra’s nīti/śāstra) cannot prevent destruction when Time (kāla) ripens the destined fall.
Vedantic Theme: Kāla as an aspect of Bhagavān’s governance; worldly upāyas (policy, power) are limited; pride (ahaṅkāra) collapses under time and karma.
Application: Use power and knowledge with humility; prioritize dharma over mere strategy; remember contingency and mortality in leadership and personal ambition.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: fortress/island stronghold
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: exempla showing that strength/wealth cannot avert karma and kāla (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that Kala ultimately overrules worldly power—fortresses, armies, and even advanced counsel—so one should prioritize dharma and right conduct over pride in strength.
By showing the inevitability of destruction under Time, it frames human life as transient and urges preparation through dharma and karmic purity—key themes underlying the Purana’s afterlife teachings.
Do not rely solely on status, security, or cleverness; cultivate ethical living, humility, and spiritual discipline, remembering that time and consequences eventually mature for everyone.