Shloka 74
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
वृषादर्भिप्रयुक्ता तु कृत्या विकृतदर्शना । यातुधानीति विख्याता पदूमिनीं तामरक्षत,राजा वृषादर्भिकी भेजी हुई भयानक आकारवाली यातुधानी कृत्या उस तालाबकी रक्षा कर रही थी
vṛṣādarbhiprayuktā tu kṛtyā vikṛtadarśanā | yātudhānīti vikhyātā padūminīṃ tām arakṣata |
Kṛtyā itu—berwujud mengerikan, digerakkan oleh Vṛṣādarbhī, dan termasyhur sebagai yātudhānī—sedang menjaga Padūminī, telaga teratai itu.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical warning: harmful, coercive powers (kṛtyā/yātudhānī) may be used to guard or control resources, but such protection is rooted in adharma—fear and injury—rather than righteous guardianship. It invites discernment between legitimate protection and violent obstruction.
Bhīṣma describes a terrifying magical entity (kṛtyā), sent by Vṛṣādarbhī and known as a yātudhānī, stationed as a guard over a lotus-pond called Padūminī, preventing or threatening those who might approach it.