Mahabharata 1.76.61 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 76, Shloka 61
ययाति–देवयानी संवादः
Yayāti–Devayānī Dialogue and Śukra’s Consent
वैशम्पायन उवाच गुरो: सकाशात् समवाप्य विद्यां भित्त्वा कुक्षिं निर्विचक्राम विप्र: । कचो<$भिरूपस्ततक्षणाद् ब्राह्मणस्य शुक्लात्यये पौर्णमास्यामिवेन्दु:
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: guroḥ sakāśāt samavāpya vidyāṃ bhittvā kukṣiṃ nirvicakrāma vipraḥ | kaco 'bhirūpas tatkṣaṇād brāhmaṇasya śuklātyaye paurṇamāsyām ivenduḥ ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच—गुरोः सकाशात् समवाप्य विद्यां भित्त्वा कुक्षिं निर्विचक्राम विप्रः। कचोऽभिरूपस्तत्क्षणाद् ब्राह्मणस्य शुक्लात्यये पौर्णमास्यामिवेन्दुः॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the immense potency of vidyā gained through the guru, while also pointing to the ethical strain that can accompany extraordinary knowledge: even life-restoring lore may be entangled with harm, and dharma must be weighed amid competing duties, risks, and consequences.
Kaca, having learned the Sanjīvanī-vidyā from his teacher, emerges instantly by splitting open Śukrācārya’s belly. The poet compares his sudden appearance to the moon manifesting on the full-moon evening at the close of the bright fortnight.
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