Shloka 17
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 209: Śaraṇāgati of the Cursed Apsarases; Nārītīrtha-prasiddhi; Arjuna’s Vimocana
पृथिव्यां ये तप:सिद्धा दान्ता: शमपरायणा: । तयोर्भयाद् दुद्गर॒ुवुस्ते वैनतेयादिवोरगा:,जैसे साँप गरुड़के डरसे भाग जाते हैं, उसी प्रकार भूमण्डलके जितेन्द्रिय, शान्तिपरायण एवं तपः:सिद्ध महात्मा भी उन दोनों दैत्योंके भयसे भाग जाते थे
pṛthivyāṃ ye tapaḥ-siddhā dāntāḥ śama-parāyaṇāḥ | tayor bhayād dudruvus te vainateyād ivoragāḥ ||
Aun aquellos en la tierra que han alcanzado la perfección por la austeridad—dueños de sí y entregados a la calma interior—huían aterrados de esos dos daityas, como las serpientes se dispersan cuando se acerca Vainateya (Garuḍa).
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Spiritual attainment (tapas, dama, śama) signifies inner mastery, yet social conditions dominated by violent, adharmic power can force even the virtuous to withdraw. The verse highlights the ethical contrast between inner restraint and outward tyranny, and the vulnerability of dharmic life when fear rules.
Nārada describes the oppressive fear caused by two daityas: even accomplished ascetics on earth flee from them, just as snakes flee from Garuḍa (Vainateya). The simile intensifies the sense of panic and the daityas’ overwhelming menace.