Shloka 23
Tīrtha-Sevana and the Cursed Apsaras
Grāha-Encounter at Saubhadra Tīrtha
त्रैलोक्यविजयार्थाय भवद्भ्यामास्थितं तप: । हेतुनानेन दैत्येन्द्री न वा कामं करोम्यहम्,दैत्यपतियो! तुम दोनोंने त्रिलोकीपर विजय पानेके लिये ही इस तपस्याका आश्रय लिया था, इसीलिये तुम्हारी अमरत्वविषयक कामनाकी पूर्ति मैं नहीं कर रहा हूँ
nārada uvāca |
trailokyavijayārthāya bhavadbhyām āsthitaṃ tapaḥ |
hetunānena daityendrī na vā kāmaṃ karomy aham, daityapatīyo ||
Narada said: “You undertook this austerity with the aim of conquering the three worlds. For this very reason, O queen of the Daityas—and O lords of the Daityas—I do not grant your wish for immortality.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity is ethically evaluated by its intention: when tapas is pursued for domination (conquest of the three worlds), it does not merit the highest boons such as immortality. The verse underscores that power-seeking motives can invalidate or limit spiritual rewards.
Narada addresses two Daitya figures (a queen and Daitya lords), stating that their penance was undertaken to win dominion over the three worlds. Therefore, he refuses to fulfil their request—specifically the desire for immortality—because the underlying aim is conquest rather than righteous purpose.