Shloka 43
Description of the Demons’ Austerities
Why the Gods Won
तथा प्रसादयेच्छन्नः स्नेहं निर्दिश्य तत्त्वतः । स्नेहं कृत्वासुरैः सार्द्धं धर्मभावैः सुरद्विषः
tathā prasādayecchannaḥ snehaṃ nirdiśya tattvataḥ | snehaṃ kṛtvāsuraiḥ sārddhaṃ dharmabhāvaiḥ suradviṣaḥ
Del mismo modo, ocultando su intención, debe ganárselos—mostrando por fuera un afecto verdadero. Habiendo así trabado ‘amistad’ con los asuras, el enemigo de los dioses avanzaría, asumiendo la apariencia de rectitud.
Uncertain (context not provided; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue framework of the Padma Purāṇa).
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रसादयेच्छन्नः = प्रसादयेत् + छन्नः; कृत्वासुरैः = कृत्वा + असुरैः.
FAQs
It warns that an outward show of dharma and affection can be used as a strategy for manipulation—so righteousness must be judged by intent and conduct, not mere appearance.
Literally “enemy of the gods,” it denotes a hostile figure aligned against the devas—often an asuric agent—who uses feigned friendliness and moral posture to achieve his ends.
It reinforces that dharma is not only external behavior but also inner sincerity; adopting “dharmabhāva” as a mask is portrayed as a dangerous distortion of righteousness.