Shloka 85
इक्ष्वाकुवंश-प्रसङ्गः, पुरंजय-दैवसाहाय्य-कथा, युवनाश्व-मांधातृ-उत्पत्तिः, सौभरि-वैराग्योपदेशः
चीर्णं तपो यत् तु जलाश्रयेण तस्यर्द्धिर् एषा तपसो ऽन्तरायः मत्स्यस्य सङ्गाद् अभवच् च यो मे सुतादिरागो मुषितो ऽस्मि तेन
cīrṇaṃ tapo yat tu jalāśrayeṇa tasyarddhir eṣā tapaso 'ntarāyaḥ matsyasya saṅgād abhavac ca yo me sutādirāgo muṣito 'smi tena
ตบะที่ข้าพเจ้าบำเพ็ญโดยอาศัยอยู่ในน้ำ—ความสำเร็จนี้เองกลับเป็นอุปสรรคแก่ตบะนั้น เพราะคบหาปลา จึงเกิดความกำหนัดยึดติดที่เริ่มจากความอยากมี ‘บุตร’ และด้วยสิ่งนั้นข้าพเจ้าถูกปล้นจากความวางใจ
A renunciant/ascetic figure within the narrative (as recounted by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: How siddhi/attainment and unusual circumstances can become obstacles (antarāya) when they generate attachment
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: compassionate
Concept: Even the ‘success’ of austerity can obstruct austerity when it breeds attachment—here, association gives rise to longing for progeny and steals detachment.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Treat spiritual progress and abilities as instruments for humility and service; watch for subtle cravings (recognition, legacy, control) that hijack practice.
Vishishtadvaita: True spiritual attainment culminates in surrender (śaraṇāgati) rather than self-appropriation of merit; detachment is safeguarded by offering fruits to the Lord.
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
The verse warns that even a small companionship can seed rāga (attachment), which then disrupts tapas and inner steadiness.
Through a narrative confession: success in austerity can itself become a trap when it leads to new desires, especially family-oriented longing that pulls the mind outward.
Implicitly, the teaching aligns with Vaiṣṇava dharma: turning from binding desires toward the Supreme Reality (Vishnu) requires vigilance against rāga that diverts devotion and discipline.