Shloka 14
तपस्विनाम् औत्सुक्यं राक्षसत्रासश्च
Ascetics’ Anxiety and the Fear of Rakshasas
दर्शयन्ति हि बीभत्सैः क्रूरैर्भीषणकैरपि।नानारूपैर्विरूपैश्च रूपैर्विकृतदर्शनैः।।2.116.14।।
darśayanti hi bībhatsaiḥ krūraiḥ bhīṣaṇakair api |
nānārūpair virūpaiś ca rūpair vikṛtadarśanaiḥ ||
Sie zeigen sich in vielerlei Gestalten — abscheulich, grausam und furchterregend, entstellt und missgestaltet, unerquicklich anzusehen.
They appear in various distorted forms now rapacious, now fearful, now deformed.
FAQs
Dharma opposes intimidation—using terror and deception to break spiritual practice is portrayed as a violation demanding protection.
The ascetics describe the methods of harassment: rākṣasas frighten them by appearing in grotesque forms.
Endurance under fear—ascetics persist despite psychological terror, highlighting steadfastness in tapas.