Shloka 3.11.60

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

Devanagari script

ततो भ्रातुर्वचश्श्रुत्वा वातापिर्मेषवन्नदन्।।।।भित्त्वा भित्त्वा शरीराणि ब्राह्मणानां विनिष्पतत्।

Transliteration

tato bhrātur vacaḥ śrutvā vātāpir meṣavan nadan | bhittvā bhittvā śarīrāṇi brāhmaṇānāṃ viniṣpatat || 3.11.60 ||

Translation

Then, hearing his brother's call, Vātāpi would bleat like a ram and burst forth, ripping open the bodies of the Brahmins.

Context

Then hearing his brother's voice, Vatapi would bleat like a sheep and jump out, tearing open the bodies of those brahmins.

Characters & Entities

• Vātāpi
• Ilvala (implied as ‘brother’)
• brāhmaṇa (brahmins)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights adharma: deception and violence directed at the innocent—especially those engaged in sacred duty—are portrayed as profoundly unrighteous and socially destructive.

What is the narrative situation?

In the Ilvala–Vātāpi scheme, Vātāpi (disguised as food) is eaten by unsuspecting brahmins; on Ilvala’s summons he bursts out, killing them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (through negation), the virtue implied is ahiṃsā and protection of the righteous—an obligation later taken up by dhārmic heroes and sages.