Shloka 66
Duḥṣantasya Vana-praveśaḥ
King Duḥṣanta’s Entry into the Forest Hunt
संत्यज्य मत्स्यरूपं सा दिव्यं रूपमवाप्य च । सिद्धर्षिचारणपथं जगामाथ वराप्सरा:
saṃtyajya matsyarūpaṃ sā divyaṃ rūpam avāpya ca | siddharṣicāraṇapathaṃ jagāmātha varāpsarāḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Abandoning her form as a fish, she assumed a radiant, divine form; then that excellent Apsaras departed along the path frequented by Siddhas, Ṛṣis, and Cāraṇas—returning to the higher celestial spheres.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the distinction between temporary disguises and one’s intrinsic nature: when the purpose of an assumed form is fulfilled, the being returns to its proper station. It also reflects the Mahābhārata’s moral universe where higher beings move according to cosmic order, and transitions of form signal shifts in duty, realm, and identity.
An Apsaras who had been present in the story in the guise of a fish abandons that form, regains her divine appearance, and departs by the celestial route associated with Siddhas, Ṛṣis, and Cāraṇas—indicating her return to the heavenly spheres after completing her role in the episode.