Shloka 24
इन्द्रवृत्रयुद्धवर्णनम्
Indra–Vṛtra Conflict and the Adversaries’ Tapas-Targeting Counsel
तत आधाय गर्भ तमगमद् वनमेव स: । तस्मिन् वनगते गर्भो ववृधे सप्त शारदान्,गर्भाधान करके अगस्त्यजी फिर वनमें ही चले गये। उनके वनमें चले जानेपर वह गर्भ सात वर्षोंतक माताके पेटमें ही पलता और बढ़ता रहा
tata ādhāya garbhaṃ tam agamad vanam eva saḥ | tasmin vanagate garbho vavṛdhe sapta śāradān ||
After begetting that embryo, he departed again for the forest. Once he had gone to the forest, the embryo continued to grow within the mother’s womb for seven autumns (seven years), indicating an extraordinary gestation shaped by ascetic power and destiny rather than ordinary human measure.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how ascetic power and destiny can shape life-events beyond ordinary norms, suggesting that spiritual potency (tapas) and cosmic order may govern outcomes in exceptional births and life-cycles.
After initiating conception, Agastya leaves for the forest. In his absence, the embryo remains in the mother’s womb and continues developing for seven years, marking an extraordinary, prolonged gestation.