Shloka 23
Indratīrtha–Ādityatīrtha: Balarāma’s Ritual Bathing, Dāna, and Sacred-Historical Recollections
पादौ प्रक्षिप्प सा पूर्व पावके चारुदर्शना | दग्धौ दग्धौ पुन: पादावुपावर्तयतानघ,निष्पाप नरेश! मनोहर दिखायी देनेवाली उस कन्याने पहले अपने दोनों पैर आगमें डाल दिये। वे ज्यों-ज्यों जलने लगे, त्यों-ही-त्यों वह उन्हें आगके भीतर बढ़ाती गयी
pādau prakṣipya sā pūrvaṁ pāvake cārudarśanā | dagdhau dagdhau punaḥ pādāv upāvartayatānagha || niṣpāpa nareśa ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Die anmutige Jungfrau stieß zuerst beide Füße ins Feuer. Und als sie zu brennen begannen, wandte sie sie immer wieder den Flammen zu—o schuldloser König, o tadelloser Herrscher—und verharrte unbeirrt in ihrer Tat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights unwavering resolve in the face of pain, suggesting that certain vows or tests are pursued with determined persistence. Ethically, it invites reflection on the limits and purpose of self-endurance—whether it serves dharma and truth or becomes mere self-harm.
An unnamed, beautiful maiden begins a fire-ordeal by placing her feet into the flames. As the burning intensifies, she repeatedly pushes/turns her feet back into the fire, continuing the act while the narrator addresses the listening king as 'sinless' and 'blameless.'