Shloka 157
Adhyaya 8 — Harishchandra’s Trial: Truth, the Sale of Family, and Bondage to a Chandala
इत्युक्त्वा सर्पपाशैस्तु नीयते बलवद्विभुः ।
श्राद्धदेवेन कथितं विश्वामित्रस्य चेष्टितम् ॥
ity uktvā sarpapāśais tu nīyate balavad vibhuḥ | śrāddhadevena kathitaṃ viśvāmitrasya ceṣṭitam ||
ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞ ശേഷം ആ മഹാബലവാനായ പ്രഭുവിനെ സർപ്പപാശങ്ങളാൽ ബന്ധിച്ച് കൊണ്ടുപോയി। വിശ്വാമിത്രന്റെ ഈ കൃത്യം ശ്രാദ്ധദേവൻ വിവരിച്ചു।
FAQs
Binding imagery emphasizes that embodied beings—even kings—are constrained by the results of actions and by higher ordinance. The mention of Śrāddhadeva underscores the purāṇic concern for authoritative transmission (who told the story), reinforcing that dharma-teachings come through recognized lineages of narration.
Carita with a light touch of Vaṃśa/Manvantara association only insofar as Śrāddhadeva evokes Manu traditions; the immediate function is narrative-ethical.
Serpent-nooses can symbolize vāsanā-bandhana (bondage by latent impressions): subtle ‘coils’ that lead the jīva toward its destined experience until purification is complete.