Shloka 7
Paurava-vaṃśa-kathana (Account of the Paurava Lineage) | महाभारत आदि पर्व अध्याय ८९
बस * 2 <5७७५१११००७९७ ५4.4५ |./ 2... ययातिका पतन अट्क उवाच कस्त्वं युवा वासवतुल्यरूप: स्वतेजसा दीप्यमानो यथाग्नि: । पतसस््युदीर्णाम्बुधरान्धकारात् खात् खेचराणां प्रवरो यथार्क:,अष्टकने पूछा--इन्द्रके समान सुन्दर रूपवाले तरुण पुरुष तुम कौन हो? तुम अपने तेजसे अग्निकी भाँति देदीप्यमान हो रहे हो। मेघरूपी घने अन्धकारवाले आकाशसे आकाशचरी ग्रहोंमें श्रेष्ठ सूर्यवके समान तुम कैसे गिर रहे हो?
aṣṭaka uvāca | kastvaṃ yuvā vāsavatulya-rūpaḥ svatejasā dīpyamāno yathāgniḥ | patasy udīrṇāmbudharāndhakārāt khāt khecarāṇāṃ pravaro yathārkaḥ ||
Aṣṭaka said: “Who are you, young man, with a form as splendid as Indra’s, blazing with your own radiance like fire? From the sky—darkened by towering cloud-masses—you are falling down, though you shine among the heavenly wanderers like the foremost sun. How can this be?”
अट्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
Outer splendor and high status (even heaven-like brilliance) are not permanent; a fall can occur when the supporting merit is exhausted. The verse frames an ethical reflection: true security lies not in appearance or rank but in sustained dharma and the causes that uphold one’s condition.
Aṣṭaka sees a radiant young celestial-like figure falling from the sky, despite shining like the sun among sky-goers. Astonished by the contrast between the person’s brilliance and his downward fall, Aṣṭaka questions his identity and the reason for this reversal.