Shloka 79
Śrāddha-Kalpa: Pitṛ-Pūjā and Tithi-Phala (श्राद्धकल्पः पितृपूजा च तिथिफलम्)
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु देवा: शक्रपुरोगमा: । असुरस्तारको नाम तेन संतापिता भृशम्,इसी समय तारक नामक एक असुर उत्पन्न हुआ था, जिसने इन्द्र आदि देवताओंको अत्यन्त संतप्त कर दिया था
etasminn eva kāle tu devāḥ śakra-purogamāḥ | asuras tārako nāma tena santāpitā bhṛśam ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Pada saat itulah para dewa—dipimpin oleh Śakra (Indra)—ditimpa penderitaan yang amat berat oleh seorang asura bernama Tāraka.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral-cosmic pattern: when disruptive forces (asuras) intensify suffering and threaten order, the guardians of dharma (devas) are compelled to seek a remedy, setting the stage for righteous restoration.
Bhishma introduces a crisis: an asura named Tāraka has arisen and is grievously tormenting the gods led by Indra, marking the beginning of an episode that will explain how this affliction is addressed.