Shloka 3.11.11

पञ्चाप्सरो-सरः कथनम् तथा अगस्त्याश्रममार्गनिर्देशः (Panchapsara Lake Account and Directions to Agastya)

Devanagari script

इदं पञ्चाप्सरो नाम तटाकं सार्वकालिकम्।।।।निर्मितं तपसा राम मुनिना माण्डकर्णिना।

Transliteration

idaṃ pañcāpsaro nāma taṭākaṃ sārvakālikam |

nirmitaṃ tapasā rāma muninā māṇḍakarṇinā ||

Translation

“O Rāma, this lake—called Pañcāpsarā and ever filled—was created by the sage Māṇḍakarṇi through austerity (tapas).”

Context

O Rama! this lake called Panchapsara filled with water at all times has been created through penance by a sage called Mandakarni.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Pañcāpsarā (lake)
• Māṇḍakarṇi (sage)
• taṭāka (lake)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Tapas aligned with dharma is portrayed as world-sustaining—spiritual discipline can create enduring benefit for others.

What is the narrative situation?

The sage identifies the lake and credits its origin to Māṇḍakarṇi’s penance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Māṇḍakarṇi’s ascetic endurance and purposeful austerity.