The Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu Begins — Ilā/Sudyumna and the Birth of Purūravā
तथा तदनुगा: सर्वे आत्मलिङ्गविपर्ययम् । दृष्ट्वा विमनसोऽभूवन् वीक्षमाणा: परस्परम् ॥ २७ ॥
tathā tad-anugāḥ sarve ātma-liṅga-viparyayam dṛṣṭvā vimanaso ’bhūvan vīkṣamāṇāḥ parasparam
അവന്റെ അനുയായികളും തങ്ങളുടെ സ്വരൂപത്തിൽ ലിംഗപരിവർത്തനം സംഭവിച്ചതായി കണ്ടപ്പോൾ എല്ലാവരും വിഷണ്ണരായി, പരസ്പരം നോക്കി നിശ്ശബ്ദരായി നിന്നു।
This verse describes Sudyumna’s attendants becoming distressed when they saw the reversal of his bodily identity, highlighting how startling and humbling material bodily change can be.
They were confused and saddened because they witnessed their master’s bodily marks change, and they could not immediately understand how to respond to such an extraordinary reversal.
It reminds us not to place ultimate confidence in external identity and circumstances, which can change suddenly, and to seek steadiness through dharma and devotion.