Shloka 50
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
अहो इमं पश्यत मे विनाशं तपस्विन: सच्चरितव्रतस्य । अन्तर्जले वारिचरप्रसङ्गात् प्रच्यावितं ब्रह्म चिरं धृतं यत् ॥ ५० ॥
aho imaṁ paśyata me vināśaṁ tapasvinaḥ sac-carita-vratasya antarjale vāri-cara-prasaṅgāt pracyāvitaṁ brahma ciraṁ dhṛtaṁ yat
Hélas! Voyez ma chute : bien que je fusse un ascète aux vœux purs, même au fond des eaux, par la fréquentation des ébats des poissons, j’ai perdu le fruit de ma longue austérité.
FAQs
This verse warns that even a long-maintained spiritual strength can be lost when one becomes entangled through association—here symbolized by contact with water-dwelling creatures—showing how saṅga can disturb tapasya and steadiness.
He recognizes that discipline alone is not enough if vigilance is lost; a seemingly small distraction and association in an unguarded moment can shake even a powerful ascetic’s brahma-tejas.
Guard your inputs—company, media, habits—and avoid environments that trigger old weaknesses; steady devotion and mindful boundaries protect spiritual focus just as much as formal practices do.