जिद्दामूले स्थितास्तस्य सर्वे देवा: सवासवा: । तिमेरास्यमनुप्राप्ता यथा मत्स्या महार्णवे
jihvāmūle sthitās tasya sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ | timerāsyam anuprāptā yathā matsyā mahārṇave ||
Dijo Cyavana: «Todos los dioses, junto con Indra, quedaron en la raíz de su lengua, como los peces del gran océano que llegan a ser tragados por la boca de la poderosa criatura marina llamada Timi».
च्यवन उवाच
The verse uses a vivid simile to show how quickly power can collapse into vulnerability. Ethically, it cautions against arrogance and disrespect—especially toward sages and dharma—since the consequences can overwhelm even the gods, forcing humility and the search for reconciliation.
Cyavana describes a terrifying being (contextually, Mad) before whom the gods, including Indra, are trapped at the base of its tongue. Their predicament is compared to fish swallowed by the great sea-creature Timi in the ocean, emphasizing their helplessness and imminent danger.