Shloka 10

Saptasārasvata-tīrtha-prasaṅgaḥ | The Saptasārasvata Pilgrimage Account and the Maṅkaṇaka Narrative

Devanagari script

विश्वावसुमुखास्तत्र गन्धर्वास्तपसान्विता:

Transliteration

viśvāvsumukhās tatra gandharvās tapasānvitāḥ

Translation

Вайшампаяна сказал: Там присутствовали гандхарвы — и среди них первым был Вишвавасу, — наделённые силой тапаса, подвижнической аскезы. Их явление служит священным, потусторонним свидетельством происходящего, напоминая слушателю: даже среди людской вражды стоят высшие существа и мощь дисциплинированного подвижничества — мерило нравственного и космического порядка.

Word by Word

• विश्वावसु-मुखाः: having Viśvāvasu as (their) chief/foremost
• विश्वावसु-मुखाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विश्वावसु + मुख
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र

• गन्धर्वाः: Gandharvas (celestial musicians)
• गन्धर्वाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• तपसा-अन्विताः: endowed with austerity
• तपसा-अन्विताः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तपस् + अन्वित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Viśvāvasu
• Gandharvas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights tapas (disciplined austerity) as a real form of spiritual potency and authority. By noting Gandharvas endowed with tapas, the narrative implies that higher beings and moral-cosmic forces observe and weigh human actions, especially in moments shaped by violence and choice.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes the presence of Gandharvas at the scene, led by Viśvāvasu. Their mention functions as a scene-setting detail that elevates the moment from merely human events to one witnessed by celestial beings.