Shloka 16
Diti’s Untimely Desire and the Birth-Cause of the Asura Line
Prelude to Hiranyākṣa–Varāha
इति तां वीर मारीच: कृपणां बहुभाषिणीम् । प्रत्याहानुनयन् वाचा प्रवृद्धानङ्गकश्मलाम् ॥ १६ ॥
iti tāṁ vīra mārīcaḥ kṛpaṇāṁ bahu-bhāṣiṇīm pratyāhānunayan vācā pravṛddhānaṅga-kaśmalām
O bayani (Vidura), si Diti na pinahirapan ng dungis ng pita at kaya naging abang at madaldal, ay pinayapa ng anak ni Marīci sa angkop at mahinahong pananalita.
When a man or woman is afflicted by the lust of sex desire, it is to be understood as sinful contamination. Kaśyapa was engaged in his spiritual activities, but he did not have sufficient strength to refuse his wife, who was thus afflicted. He could have refused her with strong words expressing impossibility, but he was not as spiritually strong as Vidura. Vidura is addressed here as a hero because no one is stronger in self-control than a devotee of the Lord. It appears that Kaśyapa was already inclined to have sexual enjoyment with his wife, and because he was not a strong man he tried to dissuade her only with pacifying words.
FAQs
This verse depicts a person being overtaken by “anaṅga-kaśmala”—the impurity and bewilderment produced by lust—showing that desire can cloud judgment and lead one away from dharma.
The verse highlights Mārīci’s compassionate, tactful response: seeing her pitiable condition and agitation, he chose pacifying words to guide her back toward proper conduct.
Respond to agitation with steady, dharmic counsel—either from within through restraint and reflection or by seeking guidance from wise, principled mentors—rather than escalating with harsh speech.