Shloka 18
Pātāla-varṇana (Nārada’s Description of the Netherworld) / पातालवर्णनम्
अग्निरेष महार्चिष्माज्जागर्ति वारुणे हदे । वैष्णवं चक्रमाविद्धं विधूमेन हविष्मता
agnir eṣa mahārcīṣmāj jāgarti vāruṇe hrade | vaiṣṇavaṃ cakram āviddhaṃ vidhūmena haviṣmatā ||
Kaṇva said: “Behold this Fire-god, blazing with mighty flames, keeping watch within Varuṇa’s lake. With oblations that rose without smoke, he even checked and held back Viṣṇu’s discus.”
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the potency of pure, disciplined sacrificial action (smokeless oblation) and vigilant self-mastery: dharmic power rooted in restraint and right ritual can curb even overwhelming force.
Kaṇva points out a wondrous sight: the radiant Agni is present and watchful in Varuṇa’s lake, and through smokeless offerings he is described as having checked even Viṣṇu’s discus—an image underscoring extraordinary divine and ritual power.