Shloka 10
Saptasārasvata-tīrtha-prasaṅgaḥ | The Saptasārasvata Pilgrimage Account and the Maṅkaṇaka Narrative
विश्वावसुमुखास्तत्र गन्धर्वास्तपसान्विता:
viśvāvsumukhās tatra gandharvās tapasānvitāḥ
Vaiśampāyana dit : Là se tenaient les Gandharvas—Viśvāvasu étant le premier d’entre eux—présents et pourvus de la puissance de l’ascèse. Leur apparition marque un témoignage sacré venu d’un autre monde, rappelant à l’auditeur que, même au cœur des querelles humaines, des êtres supérieurs et la force d’une austérité disciplinée demeurent la mesure de l’ordre moral et cosmique.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas (disciplined austerity) as a real form of spiritual potency and authority. By noting Gandharvas endowed with tapas, the narrative implies that higher beings and moral-cosmic forces observe and weigh human actions, especially in moments shaped by violence and choice.
Vaiśampāyana describes the presence of Gandharvas at the scene, led by Viśvāvasu. Their mention functions as a scene-setting detail that elevates the moment from merely human events to one witnessed by celestial beings.