आदि पर्व, अध्याय 67 — गान्धर्वविवाह-समयः
Duḥṣanta–Śakuntalā: Gandharva Marriage and Succession Condition
तृतीयस्तु महातेजा महामायो महासुर: । निषादाधिपतिर्जज्ञे भुवि भीमपराक्रम:,तीसरा जो महान् तेजस्वी और महामायावी महादैत्य था, वह इस पृथ्वीपर भयंकर पराक्रमी निषादनरेशके रूपमें उत्पन्न हुआ
tṛtīyastu mahātejā mahāmāyo mahāsuraḥ | niṣādādhipatirjajñe bhuvi bhīmaparākramaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Le troisième—rayonnant d’un grand éclat, puissant asura pourvu d’immenses pouvoirs d’illusion—naquit sur la terre comme seigneur des Niṣādas, un souverain à la vaillance redoutable.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights that immense power and deceptive capability (māyā) can manifest within human society; ethical discernment is needed because outward status (a kingly birth) may conceal an asuric disposition, reminding readers to judge by conduct and dharmic alignment rather than position alone.
Vaiśampāyana continues a genealogical/account of beings taking birth on earth: the 'third' great asura, characterized by brilliance and powerful māyā, is said to be born as the ruler of the Niṣādas, marked by fearsome prowess.