Shloka 31
Pūru-vaṁśa, Duṣmanta–Śakuntalā, and the Rise of Mahārāja Bharata
जित्वा पुरासुरा देवान् ये रसौकांसि भेजिरे । देवस्त्रियो रसां नीता: प्राणिभि: पुनराहरत् ॥ ३१ ॥
jitvā purāsurā devān ye rasaukāṁsi bhejire deva-striyo rasāṁ nītāḥ prāṇibhiḥ punar āharat
Formerly, after conquering the demigods, the asuras took shelter in the lower realm called Rasātala and carried there the wives and daughters of the demigods as well. Mahārāja Bharata, however, rescued those women, along with their attendants, from the demons’ grasp and returned them to the demigods.
FAQs
This verse describes how, even when demons overpower the demigods and drag their families into Rasā, the Supreme Lord later rescues and restores what was lost—showing His role as the ultimate protector and re-establisher of dharma.
The verse indicates that after defeating the devas, the asuras seized control and carried the deva-striyaḥ into the subterranean region called Rasā—illustrating the oppression that follows adharma when power is misused.
When injustice or loss seems overwhelming, this verse encourages steadiness in faith and righteous action: outcomes may change suddenly by higher arrangement, and dharma-oriented perseverance is never wasted.