Shloka 18
Pātāla-varṇana (Nārada’s Description of the Netherworld) / पातालवर्णनम्
अग्निरेष महार्चिष्माज्जागर्ति वारुणे हदे । वैष्णवं चक्रमाविद्धं विधूमेन हविष्मता
agnir eṣa mahārcīṣmāj jāgarti vāruṇe hrade | vaiṣṇavaṃ cakram āviddhaṃ vidhūmena haviṣmatā ||
Kaṇva sprach: „Sieh diesen Feuergott: mit mächtigen Flammen lodert er und hält Wache im See Varuṇas. Durch Opfergaben (havis), die ohne Rauch emporstiegen, hielt er sogar Viṣṇus Diskus zurück und brachte ihn zum Stillstand.“
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the potency of pure, disciplined sacrificial action (smokeless oblation) and vigilant self-mastery: dharmic power rooted in restraint and right ritual can curb even overwhelming force.
Kaṇva points out a wondrous sight: the radiant Agni is present and watchful in Varuṇa’s lake, and through smokeless offerings he is described as having checked even Viṣṇu’s discus—an image underscoring extraordinary divine and ritual power.