Shloka 49
Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
असितो देवलस्तूर्णमुत्पपात पपात च । ततः सिद्धास्त ऊचुर्हि देवलं पुनरेव ह,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन्! उन ब्रह्मयाजी सिद्धोंकी बात सुनकर देवलमुनि तुरंत ऊपरकी ओर उछले, परंतु नीचे गिर पड़े। तब उन सिद्धोंने पुन: देवलसे कहा --
asitō dēvalas tūṛṇam utpapāta papāta ca | tataḥ siddhās ta ūcur hi dēvalaṃ punar eva ha |
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, on hearing the words of those Siddhas who were engaged in Brahman-worship, the sage Devala—called Asita—suddenly sprang upward, yet fell back down. Then those Siddhas again addressed Devala.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse suggests that spiritual aspiration or sudden exertion alone does not guarantee success; even a sage may falter, and progress often requires renewed guidance and humility before accomplished teachers (the Siddhas).
After hearing the Siddhas’ words, the sage Devala (Asita) attempts to rise upward but falls; the Siddhas then speak to him again, indicating a continued instruction or correction.