Shloka 11
Tīrtha-Sevana and the Cursed Apsaras
Grāha-Encounter at Saubhadra Tīrtha
ततो देवा भयं जम्मुरुग्रं दृष्टवा तयोस्तप: । तपोविघातार्थमथो देवा विघ्नानि चक्रिरे,उनकी उम्र तपस्या देखकर देवताओंको बड़ा भय हुआ। वे देवतागण उनके तपको भंग करनेके लिये अनेक प्रकारके विघ्न डालने लगे
tato devā bhayaṁ jagmur ugraṁ dṛṣṭvā tayos tapaḥ | tapovighātārtham atho devā vighnāni cakrire ||
Daraufhin wurden die Götter, als sie die grimmige Askese der beiden sahen, von Furcht ergriffen. Um ihre Buße zu vereiteln, setzten die Götter allerlei Hindernisse in Gang.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata motif: tapas generates real potency, and when that potency appears capable of unsettling the established cosmic balance, even the gods may respond defensively. Ethically, it invites reflection on how power—spiritual or worldly—provokes resistance, and how steadfastness and right intention are tested through obstacles.
Nārada narrates that the gods observe the intense austerities of two individuals and become afraid of the consequences of such tapas. To prevent the completion or fruit of that penance, they deliberately create various impediments meant to break the ascetic practice.