Shloka 7
Paurava-vaṃśa-kathana (Account of the Paurava Lineage) | महाभारत आदि पर्व अध्याय ८९
बस * 2 <5७७५१११००७९७ ५4.4५ |./ 2... ययातिका पतन अट्क उवाच कस्त्वं युवा वासवतुल्यरूप: स्वतेजसा दीप्यमानो यथाग्नि: । पतसस््युदीर्णाम्बुधरान्धकारात् खात् खेचराणां प्रवरो यथार्क:
aṣṭaka uvāca | kastvaṃ yuvā vāsavatulya-rūpaḥ svatejasā dīpyamāno yathāgniḥ | patasy udīrṇāmbudharāndhakārāt khāt khecarāṇāṃ pravaro yathārkaḥ ||
Aṣṭaka sprach: „Wer bist du, junger Mann, von einer Gestalt so glänzend wie die Indras, der in eigener Strahlkraft wie Feuer lodert? Aus dem Himmel, verdunkelt von hoch aufragenden Wolkenmassen, stürzt du herab, obgleich du unter den Himmelswanderern wie die vornehmste Sonne leuchtest. Wie kann das sein?“
अट्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
Outer splendor and high status (even heaven-like brilliance) are not permanent; a fall can occur when the supporting merit is exhausted. The verse frames an ethical reflection: true security lies not in appearance or rank but in sustained dharma and the causes that uphold one’s condition.
Aṣṭaka sees a radiant young celestial-like figure falling from the sky, despite shining like the sun among sky-goers. Astonished by the contrast between the person’s brilliance and his downward fall, Aṣṭaka questions his identity and the reason for this reversal.