Shloka 38
Narmadā
Revā) Tīrtha Greatness: The Gandharva Maidens’ Curse Narrative (Acchodā Episode Begins
गाधिसंभवपराशरादयः कंडुदेवलमुखाश्च ये द्विजाः । तेऽपि योगि बलिनो विमोहिताः लीलया तदबलाभिरद्भुतम्
gādhisaṃbhavaparāśarādayaḥ kaṃḍudevalamukhāśca ye dvijāḥ | te'pi yogi balino vimohitāḥ līlayā tadabalābhiradbhutam
Selbst Weise wie Parāśara, aus der Linie des Gādhi hervorgegangen, und andere Zweimalgeborene wie Kaṇḍu und Devala: selbst jene kraftvollen Yogins wurden auf wunderbare Weise durch die spielerische Macht jener Frauen betört.
Unspecified (narratorial verse within the Svargakhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Even accomplished yogins can be deluded by līlā when vigilance (apramāda) and sense-restraint are not perfected.
Application: Do not overestimate spiritual progress; maintain humility, guard the senses, and anchor the mind in a higher object (nāma, mantra, service).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of venerable sages—Parāśara, Kaṇḍu, Devala—sit in yogic posture, their matted locks and prayer beads contrasting with the sudden arrival of radiant women whose laughter ripples like a spell. The sages’ eyes widen in astonishment as their meditation breaks, showing the paradox of great power meeting playful delusion.","primary_figures":["Parāśara","Kaṇḍu","Devala","bewitching women/apsarases (tad-abalāḥ)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama clearing with sacrificial fire, deer-skins, and flowering trees; a subtle celestial shimmer suggests Svarga’s influence.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["smoky ash gray","leaf green","sunlit gold","coral pink","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: ascetics with gold-embossed halos of tapas seated near a small homa-kunda, contrasted by apsarases in jewel-toned silks; heavy gold leaf on ornaments and firelight, dramatic expressions of ‘vimohita’ on sages’ faces, ornate border motifs of vines and flames.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined forest scene with delicate blossoms and soft light; sages rendered with subtle emotion—surprise and inner conflict—while apsarases appear airy and graceful; cool shadows, lyrical naturalism, fine textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized apsarases with elaborate hair and ornaments, sages with pronounced eyes and expressive brows; warm reds/yellows/greens, decorative foliage bands, temple-wall grandeur emphasizing the ‘adbhuta’ shock.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: patterned forest-lotus hybrid space, apsarases framed by floral borders and peacocks; sages seated in a row like a devotional frieze, the ‘līlā’ shown as swirling decorative ribbons around them, deep blue ground with gold highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","sudden laughter","fire crackle","distant thunder"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तेऽपि = ते + अपि; गाधिसंभवपराशरादयः treated as dvandva list with आदयः; कंडुदेवलमुखाः = कण्डु + देवल + मुखाः; तदबलाभिः = तत् + अबलाभिः
FAQs
It underscores that even highly accomplished sages and powerful yogins can be overcome by moha (bewilderment), highlighting the need for vigilance and inner mastery.
They are well-known rishis (Brahmin sages) in Sanskrit tradition, cited here as exemplars of spiritual power who nonetheless became susceptible to delusion.
The verse’s emphasis is on the power of fascination/temptation and the fragility of the unguarded mind; traditional readings often treat “women” here as a narrative vehicle for kāma and moha rather than a blanket moral judgment about women as such.