Shloka 1.32.21

कुशवंशवर्णनम् — The Line of Kuśa and the Disfigurement of Kuśanābha’s Daughters by Vāyu

Devanagari script

माभूत्स कालो दुर्मेध: पितरं सत्यवादिनम्।नावमन्यस्व धर्मेण स्वयं वरमुपास्महे।।।।

Transliteration

kuśanābhasutāḥ sarvāḥ samarthās tvāṃ surottama |

sthānāc cyāvayituṃ devaṃ rakṣāmas tu tapo vayam || 1.32.20 ||

Translation

“O best among the gods, we are all daughters of Kuśanābha, and we are capable—even of dislodging a god from his station. Yet we restrain ourselves, guarding our tapas as unmarried maidens.”

Context

O wicked one, do not dishonour our father who always speaks the truth. He will choose the bridegrooms righteously. Do not invite death (father may be the cause of your death).

Characters & Entities

• Kuśanābha
• Vāyu
• tapas

FAQs

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

Dharma includes self-restraint: even when one has the power to retaliate (through tapas), one may choose restraint to protect spiritual merit and uphold rightful conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

The maidens warn Vāyu that they possess the ascetic potency to punish, but they refrain in order to preserve their vow and merit.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṣamā and saṃyama (forbearance and restraint) grounded in tapas—power governed by principle.