Shloka 14
Tīrtha-Sevana and the Cursed Apsaras
Grāha-Encounter at Saubhadra Tīrtha
प्रपात्यमाना विस्रस्ता: शूलहस्तेन रक्षसा | भ्रष्टाभरणकेशान्ता भ्रष्टाभरणवासस:,तत्पश्चात् देवताओंने महान् आत्मबलसे सम्पन्न उन दोनों दैत्योंके सामने पुन: मायाका प्रयोग किया। उनकी मायानिर्मित बहनें, माताएँ, पत्नियाँ तथा अन्य आत्मीयजन वहाँ भागते हुए आते और उन्हें कोई शूलधारी राक्षस बार-बार खदेड़ता तथा पृथ्वीपर पटक देता था। उनके आभूषण गिर जाते, वस्त्र खिसक जाते और बालोंकी लटें खुल जाती थीं। वे सभी आत्मीयजन सुन्द-उपसुन्दको पुकारकर चीखते हुए कहते--“बेटा! मुझे बचाओ, भैया! मेरी रक्षा करो।' यह सब सुनकर भी वे दोनों महान् व्रतधारी तपस्वी अपनी तपस्यासे नहीं डिगे; अपने व्रतको नहीं तोड़ सके
prapātyamānā visrastāḥ śūlahastena rakṣasā | bhraṣṭābharaṇakeśāntā bhraṣṭābharaṇavāsasaḥ ||
Nārada said: As they were being hurled down and driven about by a spear‑wielding rākṣasa, their ornaments slipped away, their garments were disordered, and the ends of their hair came loose. (In the surrounding episode, the gods, seeking to break the austerity of Sunda and Upasunda, again employed māyā: illusory sisters, mothers, wives, and other dear ones appeared, fleeing and crying for protection. Yet, despite hearing these distressing cries, the two great ascetics did not waver from their tapas and did not violate their vow.)
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores steadfastness in tapas and fidelity to one’s vrata: even when powerful emotional triggers and frightening illusions are presented, the disciplined person does not abandon self-control or break a vow.
The gods deploy māyā to disturb Sunda and Upasunda’s austerities. Illusory relatives appear in distress, chased and thrown down by a spear‑bearing rākṣasa, with dishevelled hair and fallen ornaments—yet the two ascetics remain unmoved and continue their penance.