Shloka 3.11.12

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

Devanagari script

स हि तेपे तपस्तीव्रं माण्डकर्णिर्महामुनिः।।।।दशवर्षसहस्राणि वायुभक्षो जलाश्रयः।

Transliteration

sa hi tepe tapas tīvraṃ māṇḍakarṇir mahāmuniḥ |

daśa-varṣa-sahasrāṇi vāyu-bhakṣo jalāśrayaḥ ||

Translation

For the great sage Māṇḍakarṇi undertook intense tapas for ten thousand years—subsisting on air and standing within the waters.

Context

Great sage Mandakarni standing in water and living on air performed rigorous penance for ten thousand years.

Characters & Entities

• Māṇḍakarṇi
• tapas
• jala (water)
• vāyu (air)

FAQs

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

Dharma values self-mastery: sustained discipline and restraint are shown as legitimate means to spiritual power and public good.

What is the narrative situation?

The sage describes the severity and duration of Māṇḍakarṇi’s penance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Extreme perseverance (dhṛti) and austerity (tapas).