Shloka 23
Guṇa-vibhāga and Prāṇa–Agni–Yoga Upadeśa (गुणविभाग तथा प्राण-अग्नि-योगोपदेश)
क्रूरस्य तस्य स्वपतो बालुकान्तर्हितस्य च । संवत्सरस्य पर्यन्ते नि:श्वास: सम्प्रवर्तते,बालूके भीतर छिपकर रहनेवाला वह क्रूर राक्षस एक वर्षमें एक ही बार साँस लेता है
krūrasya tasya svapato bālukāntarhitasya ca | saṃvatsarasya paryante niḥśvāsaḥ sampravartate ||
Uttaṅka berkata: “Makhluk kejam itu tidur tersembunyi di bawah pasir, dan hanya menarik satu napas—sekali saja—pada genapnya satu tahun.”
उत्तड़क उवाच
Educational Q&A
Evil may remain concealed and inactive for long periods, yet still be perilous; dharmic discernment requires vigilance and timely action even when danger is not immediately visible.
Uttaṅka describes a cruel rākṣasa that lies asleep hidden under sand and breathes only once at the end of a year, emphasizing its uncanny nature and the threat it poses despite its apparent stillness.