Shloka 11
अगस्त्यस्य वित्तयाचनं तथा इल्वलोपभिक्षणनिर्णयः
Agastya’s request for wealth and the decision to seek resources from Ilvala
तामिल्वलेन महता स्वरेण वाचमीरिताम् । श्रुत्वातिमायो बलवान क्षिप्रं ब्राह्मगकण्टक:,राजन! इल्वलके द्वारा उच्चस्वरसे बोली हुई वाणी सुनकर वह अत्यन्त मायावी ब्राह्मणशत्रु बलवान् महादैत्य वातापि उस ब्राह्मणकी पसलीको फाड़कर हँसता हुआ निकल आया
tām ilvalena mahatā svareṇa vācam īritām | śrutvātimāyī balavān kṣipraṃ brāhmaṇakaṇṭakaḥ || rājan! ilvalakena uccasvarase bolī huī vāṇī sunkar vaha atyanta māyāvī brāhmaṇa-śatru balavān mahādaittya vātāpi usa brāhmaṇa kī pasalī ko phāṛkar haṃsatā huā nikal āyā |
Hearing the loud call uttered by Ilvala, the immensely powerful and highly deceptive demon Vātāpi—an enemy and tormentor of brahmins—quickly burst forth, laughing, by tearing open the brahmin’s side. The episode underscores how malice and deceit aimed at the righteous can appear triumphant for a moment, yet such adharma is ultimately self-defeating when confronted by true spiritual power and restraint.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical contrast between dharma and adharma: deceit and cruelty directed at the righteous (especially brahmins/ascetics) may seem powerful, but such conduct is morally corrosive and invites eventual downfall when met by genuine spiritual discipline and truth.
Ilvala calls out loudly; upon hearing that call, the demon Vātāpi—known for persecuting brahmins—swiftly emerges laughing by ripping open the brahmin’s side, describing a gruesome moment in the Ilvala–Vātāpi deception episode.