Shloka 18
Śāpaprāpti (Receiving a Curse) — Mohinī Narrative
तेजोहीनं यथागारं निर्जलं वा घनं यथा । विधूम इव सप्तार्चिर्विरश्मिरिव भास्करः ॥ १८ ॥
tejohīnaṃ yathāgāraṃ nirjalaṃ vā ghanaṃ yathā | vidhūma iva saptārcirviraśmiriva bhāskaraḥ || 18 ||
Wie ein Haus ohne Licht, wie eine Wolke ohne Wasser, wie ein siebenflammiges Feuer ohne Rauch und wie die Sonne ohne Strahlen—so ist der Zustand, wenn Glanz (tejas) und Lebenskraft fehlen.
Narada (didactic narration within Uttara-Bhaga style teaching)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It teaches that without tejas—inner radiance born of dharma and spiritual practice—life becomes functionally empty, like familiar natural forms stripped of their defining power (light, water, smoke-sign, rays).
By implication, bhakti (especially Vishnu-bhakti) restores and sustains tejas; without devotion and right conduct, one’s spiritual presence loses its luminous force, even if the outer form remains.
The imagery draws on Vaidika ritual understanding of agni (sacrificial fire) and its marks (flame/smoke), aligning with Kalpa (ritual science) as a practical cue: true efficacy is measured by living potency, not mere appearance.