Shloka 14
विन्ध्यवृद्धिनिवारणम् — The Restraint of the Vindhya
Agastya’s Injunction
केचिद् गुहा: प्रविविशुर्निर्सिरांश्चापरे तथा । अपरे मरणोद्विग्ना भयात् प्राणान् समुत्सूजन्,कुछ लोग गुफाओंमें जा छिपे। कितने ही मानव झरनोंके आस-पास रहने लगे और कितने ही मनुष्य मृत्युसे इतने घबरा गये कि भयसे ही उनके प्राण निकल गये
kecid guhāḥ praviviśur nirsirāṁś cāpare tathā | apare maraṇodvignā bhayāt prāṇān samutsṛjan |
Some people fled into caves and hid themselves; others stayed near springs and water-sources. Still others, shaken by the very thought of death, became so overwhelmed by fear that they gave up their lives then and there. The passage underscores how panic and loss of inner steadiness can destroy a person even before any external danger strikes.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear, when unchecked, can become more destructive than the threat itself; steadiness of mind is a form of strength aligned with dharma, while panic leads to self-harm and loss of discernment.
In a time of danger, people react in different ways: some hide in caves, some seek safety near water-sources, and some become so terrified of death that they die from fear itself.