Shloka 25
The Birth of Tāraka and the Prelude to the Deva–Asura War
Topic-based Title
निराहारं तपो घोरं प्रविवेश महाद्युतिः । तस्यां तपसि वर्तंत्यामिंद्रश्चक्रे विभीषिकाम्
nirāhāraṃ tapo ghoraṃ praviveśa mahādyutiḥ | tasyāṃ tapasi vartaṃtyāmiṃdraścakre vibhīṣikām
La radieuse s’engagea dans une austérité sévère sans nourriture ; et tandis qu’elle demeurait dans cette pénitence, Indra suscita une terreur pour l’entraver.
Narrator (contextual; specific dialogue pair not determinable from this single verse alone)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्तंत्यामिंद्रश्चक्रे→वर्तन्त्याम् इन्द्रः चक्रे (अनुस्वार/व्यञ्जन-सन्धि); निराहारं→निराहारम्
FAQs
Indra is often portrayed as fearing that intense tapas may generate spiritual power that could disrupt cosmic balance or threaten his position, so he tests or obstructs the ascetic to see whether their resolve is steady.
Nirāhāra indicates fasting—renouncing food as part of disciplined austerity—signifying intense self-control and single-pointed commitment to the spiritual goal.
The verse highlights steadiness under intimidation: sincere spiritual effort may meet external disturbances, and the implied ideal is perseverance and inner firmness despite fear-inducing obstacles.