Shloka 3
Duḥṣantasya Vana-praveśaḥ
King Duḥṣanta’s Entry into the Forest Hunt
तमाश्रमे न्यस्तशस्त्र निवसन्तं तपोनिधिम् । देवा: शक्रपुरोगा वै राजानमुपतस्थिरे
tam āśrame nyastaśastra-nivasantaṃ taponidhim | devāḥ śakra-purogā vai rājānam upatasthire ||
Wika ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: Sa loob ng ashram na iyon, ang hari—na isinantabi ang mga sandata at namuhay na parang isang asceta, isang tunay na sisidlan ng tapas—ay nilapitan ng mga diyos, na pinangungunahan ni Śakra (Indra). Sa pagdama sa tensiyon sa pagitan ng kapangyarihang makamundo at pagsisikap na espirituwal, dumating sila upang pigilan siya sa paghahangad ng paghahari sa pamamagitan ng tapas at upang maibalik ang balanse ng kaayusang kosmiko.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity (tapas) is powerful, but its ethical direction matters: when spiritual practice is aimed at worldly supremacy, it can disturb rightful order. The verse frames renunciation and self-control as virtues, while also warning that ambition can hide within asceticism.
The king has renounced weapons and is living in an āśrama performing intense austerities. The gods, led by Indra, come to him—implying concern that his tapas might challenge Indra’s position—and they approach to address and restrain his undertaking.