Shloka 3
कल्माषपाद-शाप-कारणम्
Cause of Kalmāṣapāda’s Niyoga under a Curse
क्षितौ निपतितं काले शक्रध्वजमिवोच्छितम् । तं हि दृष्टवा महेष्वासं निरस्तं पतितं भुवि
kṣitau nipatitaṁ kāle śakradhvajam ivocchritam | taṁ hi dṛṣṭvā maheṣvāsaṁ nirastaṁ patitaṁ bhuvi ||
Baginda terbaring jatuh di bumi, laksana panji Indra yang tinggi dibaringkan turun pada waktunya. Melihat pemanah agung itu tersisih dan rebah di tanah, para saksi terguncang oleh dukacita, seolah-olah tubuh mereka sendiri disambar api; mereka pun bergegas mendekatinya, hati bergetar kerana kasih dan cemas yang mendalam.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile—Indra’s lofty banner brought down ‘in due time’—to underscore impermanence: even the exalted and powerful can be laid low. Ethically, it evokes compassion and loyal concern in witnesses, reminding readers that greatness does not exempt one from vulnerability and that humane response to another’s fall is a mark of virtue.
A mighty archer is seen lying fallen on the ground. The speaker (a Gandharva) describes the scene with the image of a tall Indra-banner toppled at its appointed time, emphasizing the shock and grief of those who behold the hero’s collapse and their urgent movement toward him.