Shloka 4.51.14

स्वयंप्रभा-प्रश्नोत्तरम् / Svayamprabha Explains the Golden Forest and Questions the Vanaras

Devanagari script

तमप्सरसि हेमायां सक्तं दानवपुङ्गवम्।।4.51.14।।विक्रम्यैवाशनिं गृह्य जघानेत्रः पुरन्दरः।

Transliteration

tam apsarasi hemāyāṃ saktaṃ dānavapuṅgavam | vikramyaivāśaniṃ gṛhya jaghānetraḥ purandaraḥ ||

Translation

When that foremost of dānavas became infatuated with the apsaras Hēmā, Purandara (Indra), taking up his thunderbolt and exerting his might, struck him down.

Context

'Seeing this great demon in love with a heavenly apsara (nymph) called Hema, Lord Indra with all his might attacked him with his thunderbolt.

Characters & Entities

• Svayaṃprabhā
• Hēmā
• apsaras
• Purandara (Indra)
• aśani (thunderbolt)
• dānava (Maya implied)

FAQs

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

Unchecked desire (kāma) can lead to ruin; dharma requires mastery over infatuation, and cosmic order is portrayed as correcting excess.

What is the narrative situation?

Svayaṃprabhā recounts the turning point: Indra attacks the demon when he is distracted by infatuation with Hēmā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

For Indra: protection of order; for the listener: vigilance against desire that weakens judgment.