Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 59
Narrative of King Pṛthu: Chastising and Milking the Earth
अष्टबाहुर्महातेजा द्विशीर्षः सुमहातपाः । यक्षावर्तंत तेनापि सर्वदैव द्विजोत्तमाः
aṣṭabāhurmahātejā dviśīrṣaḥ sumahātapāḥ | yakṣāvartaṃta tenāpi sarvadaiva dvijottamāḥ
Dia berlengan delapan, bersinar dengan kemegahan luar biasa, berkepala dua, dan seorang petapa yang hebat. Karena dia, wahai Brahmana terbaik, para Yaksha pun terus berjaga-jaga.
Unspecified (narrative voice addressing 'dvijottamāḥ')
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अष्टबाहुर्महातेजा = अष्टबाहुः महातेजाः. पाठे 'यक्षावर्तंत' इति सन्धि/लिप्यन्तर-दोषसम्भावना; ग्रहणम्: यक्षाः आवर्तन्त. तेनापि = तेन अपि; सर्वदैव = सर्वदा एव.
FAQs
Yakṣas are semi-divine beings in Indian mythic literature, often associated with guardianship of treasures and sacred places; here they are described as being continually active/keeping watch due to the presence or influence of the described figure.
Such features are conventional Purāṇic markers of extraordinary, superhuman power—often used for powerful beings (divine, demonic, or guardian types) to convey overwhelming capability and fearsome presence.
The verse highlights 'tapas' (austerity) as a source of potency and influence—suggesting that intense discipline can shape the behavior of even formidable classes of beings like the Yakṣas.