Shloka 17
मित्रावरुणयो: शापादापन्ना नरलोकताम् । निशम्य पुरुषश्रेष्ठं कन्दर्पमिव रूपिणम् । धृतिं विष्टभ्य ललना उपतस्थे तदन्तिके ॥ १७ ॥ स तां विलोक्य नृपतिर्हर्षेणोत्फुल्ललोचन: । उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा देवीं हृष्टतनूरुह: ॥ १८ ॥
mitrā-varuṇayoḥ śāpād āpannā nara-lokatām niśamya puruṣa-śreṣṭhaṁ kandarpam iva rūpiṇam
Cursed by Mitra and Varuṇa, Urvaśī had taken on the ways of the human world. Seeing Purūravā—the best of men, beautiful like Kāma—she steadied herself and came near. King Purūravā, beholding her, had eyes blossoming with joy and hairs standing on end, and he addressed the goddess in gentle, pleasing words.
FAQs
This verse notes that due to Mitra and Varuṇa’s curse, Urvaśī came down to the human realm, showing how even celestial beings can be bound by higher divine law and consequence.
Hearing of Purūravā’s exceptional qualities and captivating beauty, Urvaśī gathered her composure and went to him, setting in motion their well-known episode in the narrative.
Attraction can be powerful, but the verse highlights the need to steady one’s mind (dhṛti) before acting—encouraging self-control and thoughtful choices rather than impulse.