Shloka 28

Jabali Bound by the Monkey — Jabali Bound by the Monkey: Nandayanti’s Ordeal and the Yamuna–Hiranyavati Sacred Corridor

Devanagari script

तस्यास्मि जपमानस्य महायोगं महात्मनः जातो ऽलिवृन्दसंयुक्तः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः

Transliteration

tasyāsmi japamānasya mahāyogaṃ mahātmanaḥ jāto 'livṛndasaṃyuktaḥ sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ

Translation

„Während jener großherzige die Japa des Großen Yoga vollzog, kam ich zur Welt—begleitet von einem Bienenschwarm—und (wurde) kundig in allen Śāstras.“

Speakers

• Same speaker continuing autobiographical account to the woman; describing origin/manifestation linked to Ṛtadhvaja’s practice.

Primary Deities

• Shiva (contextual, via Maheśvara-sthāna)
• Vishnu (not explicit in this verse)

Key Themes

• Tapas and japa as generative power
• Miraculous birth/manifestation motifs
• Śāstra-jñāna (comprehensive learning)
• Yogic attainment (mahāyoga)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "adbhuta", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

What might “mahāyoga” mean here—philosophical Yoga or a specific mantra-practice?

In Purāṇic usage, mahāyoga can denote a supreme yogic discipline, often tied to mantra-japa and intense tapas rather than a technical system alone. The collocation with “japamānasya” strongly suggests a mantra-centered yogic observance.

Why mention a ‘swarm of bees’ (ali-vṛnda) at birth?

Bees can function as a poetic sign of fragrance, sanctity, and attraction to spiritual ‘nectar’ (rasa). In place-myths, such motifs also mark a wonder (adbhuta) that helps identify or memorialize a site/event for pilgrims.

How should “sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ” be understood—literal omniscience?

It is a conventional encomium indicating exceptional mastery of authoritative teachings (śāstra). In narrative terms it legitimizes the speaker as a reliable knower of dharma and sacred lore within the tirtha account.