Shloka 5
Bhāgīratha’s Tapas and the Petition to Gaṅgā (गङ्गावतरण-प्रसङ्गः)
ते घोरा: क्रूरकर्माण आकाशपरिसर्पिण: । बहुत्वाच्चावजानन्त:सर्वाललोकान् सहामरान्,वे सब-के-सब भयंकर स्वभाववाले और क्रूरकर्मा थे। आकाशमें भी सब ओर घूम- फिर सकते थे। उनकी संख्या अधिक होनेके कारण वे देवताओंसहित सम्पूर्ण लोकोंकी अवहेलना करते थे
te ghorāḥ krūrakarmāṇa ākāśaparisarpiṇaḥ | bahutvāc cāvajānantaḥ sarvāl lokān sahāmarān ||
They were all terrifying in nature and ruthless in their deeds. They could roam everywhere through the sky, and, emboldened by their great numbers, they held in contempt all the worlds—even those protected by the gods. Ethically, the verse highlights how sheer power and numerical strength can breed arrogance, leading beings to disregard cosmic order and the rightful authority of dharma upheld by the devas.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that power—especially when backed by numbers—can foster arrogance and contempt for moral and cosmic order. Such disdain for the worlds and even the gods signals adharma and invites eventual correction through dharma.
The speaker describes a group of fearsome, cruel-acting beings who can move through the sky. Because they are many, they become overconfident and scorn all realms, even those associated with the gods.