Shloka 37
Adhyāya 71: Kaca and the Saṃjīvanī-vidyā
Devayānī–Śukra Episode
तादृशं तपसा युक्त प्रदीप्तमिव पावकम् । कथमस्मद्विधा नारी जितेन्द्रियमभिस्पृशेत्,ऐसे प्रज्वलित अग्निके समान तेजस्वी, तपस्वी और जितेन्द्रिय महात्माका मुझ-जैसी नारी कैसे स्पर्श कर सकती है?
tādṛśaṃ tapasā yuktaṃ pradīptam iva pāvakam | katham asmadvidhā nārī jitendriyam abhispr̥śet ||
Er gleicht einem lodernden Feuer — strahlend, durch Askese gezügelt und Herr seiner Sinne. Wie könnte eine Frau wie ich es wagen, einen so selbstbeherrschten zu berühren oder ihm nahe zu kommen?
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the simile of blazing fire to express reverence for ascetic power and self-mastery, implying an ethical boundary: one should approach the self-controlled and spiritually radiant with restraint, humility, and respect.
Kaṇva speaks in awe of a great ascetic’s tapas and sense-control, questioning how a woman like herself could even touch or approach such a person, emphasizing the perceived sanctity and formidable purity of the ascetic.