Shloka 41
Brāhmaṇa-māhātmya: Tārkṣya’s instruction on tapas, satya, and svadharma
Chapter 182
फले क्षीणे महाराज फल पुण्यमवाप्स्यसि । ततो मे विस्मयो जातस्तद् दृष्टवा तपसो बलम्,“राजन! धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर तुम्हें इस शापसे मुक्त करेंगे। महाराज! जब तुम्हारे इस अभिमान और घोर पापका फल क्षीण हो जायगा, तब तुम्हें फिर तुम्हारे पुण्योंका फल प्राप्त होगा! उस समय मुझे उनकी तपस्याका महान् बल देखकर बड़ा आश्चर्य हुआ
phale kṣīṇe mahārāja phala-puṇyam avāpsyasi | tato me vismayo jātas tad dṛṣṭvā tapaso balam ||
«Oh gran rey, cuando se haya agotado el fruto de tu mala acción, volverás a obtener el fruto de tu antiguo mérito. Al verlo, quedé sobrecogido de asombro ante el poderoso vigor de la austeridad.»
सर्प उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karmic results are finite and sequential: when the painful consequence of sin is exhausted, the stored merit can again bear fruit. The verse also highlights tapas (austerity) as a potent spiritual force that can transform circumstances and inspire awe.
The serpent addresses a king, explaining that after the king’s sinful result has run its course, he will regain the benefit of his prior virtues. The speaker expresses astonishment upon witnessing the extraordinary power of austerity at work.