Shloka 10
Saptasārasvata-tīrtha-prasaṅgaḥ | The Saptasārasvata Pilgrimage Account and the Maṅkaṇaka Narrative
विश्वावसुमुखास्तत्र गन्धर्वास्तपसान्विता:
viśvāvsumukhās tatra gandharvās tapasānvitāḥ
Vaiśampāyana said: There, the Gandharvas—foremost among them Viśvāvasu—were present, endowed with the power of austerity. Their very presence stands as a sacred, otherworldly witness, reminding the listener that even amid human strife, higher beings and the force of disciplined tapas measure moral and cosmic order.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas (disciplined austerity) as a real form of spiritual potency and authority. By noting Gandharvas endowed with tapas, the narrative implies that higher beings and moral-cosmic forces observe and weigh human actions, especially in moments shaped by violence and choice.
Vaiśampāyana describes the presence of Gandharvas at the scene, led by Viśvāvasu. Their mention functions as a scene-setting detail that elevates the moment from merely human events to one witnessed by celestial beings.