Shloka 17
पञ्चाप्सरो-सरः कथनम् तथा अगस्त्याश्रममार्गनिर्देशः
Panchapsara Lake Account and Directions to Agastya
ताश्चैवाप्सरसः पञ्च मुनेः पत्नीत्वमागताः।।।।तटाके निर्मितं तासामस्मिन्नन्तर्हितं गृहम्।
tāś caivāpsarasaḥ pañca muneḥ patnītvam āgatāḥ |
taṭāke nirmitaṃ tāsām asminn antarhitaṃ gṛham ||
त्या पाचही अप्सरा मुनिच्या पत्नीत्वास प्राप्त झाल्या. त्यांच्या हेतु या तटाकात दृष्टीस न पडणारे, अंतर्हित असे निवासगृह निर्माण केले होते॥
The five apsaras, got the status of wives to the sage who built them an invisible home inside the lake.
FAQs
The verse highlights a fall from ascetic dharma into domestic attachment under temptation, reminding that life-stages (āśramas) demand integrity and clarity of purpose.
After the sage is overcome, the apsarases become his wives and a concealed residence is established in a lake.
The implied virtue is steadfastness to one’s vow (vrata) and chosen discipline; the episode shows its erosion through indulgence.