Shloka 9
अगस्त्य-वातापि-उपाख्यानम्
Agastya and Vātāpi: Ilvala’s stratagem; Lopāmudrā’s emergence
तानलज्जान् गतद्वलीकान् हीनवृत्तान् वृथाव्रतान् | क्षमा लक्ष्मी: स्वधर्मश्व न चिरात् प्रजहुस्ततः,इस प्रकार लज्जा, संकोच और सदाचारसे हीन एवं निष्फल व्रतका आचरण करनेवाले उन असुरोंको क्षमा, लक्ष्मी और स्वधर्मने शीघ्र त्याग दिया। राजन! लक्ष्मी देवताओंके पास चली गयी और अलक्ष्मी असुरोंके यहाँ। अलक्ष्मीके आवेशसे युक्त होनेपर उनका चित्त दर्प और अभिमानसे दूषित हो गया। उस दशामें उन दैत्यों और दानवोंमें कलिका भी प्रवेश हो गया। जब वे दानव अलक्ष्मीसे संयुक्त, कलिसे तिरस्कृत और अभिमानसे अभिभूत हो सत्कर्मोंसे शून्य, विवेकरहित और मानसे उन्मत्त हो गये, तब शीघ्र ही उनका विनाश हो गया
tān alajjān gatadvalīkān hīnavṛttān vṛthāvratān | kṣamā lakṣmīḥ svadharmaś ca na cirāt prajahus tataḥ ||
Those beings, having become shameless, stripped of modest restraint, fallen in conduct, and practicing vows that were empty and fruitless—were soon abandoned there by forbearance, prosperity, and their own rightful duty. Deprived of these supports, their inner life turned toward arrogance and delusion, and the seeds of ruin took hold; when shame, ethical discipline, and dharma are cast aside, destruction quickly follows.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
When shame (moral sensitivity), disciplined conduct, and sincere observance are lost, a person or community is quickly deserted by forbearance, prosperity, and the stabilizing force of svadharma; ethical collapse naturally leads to downfall.
The speaker describes a group that has become shameless and corrupt, practicing hollow vows. As a result, Kṣamā (forbearance), Lakṣmī (fortune), and Svadharma (rightful duty) depart from them, marking the beginning of their rapid ruin.