Shloka 5
कच-देवयानी संवादः
Kaca–Devayānī Dialogue and the Curse on Vidyā
पश्यतस्तस्य तत्रर्षेरप्पयग्निसमतेजस: । विश्वामित्रस्ततस्तां तु विषमस्थामनिन्दिताम्
paśyatas tasya tatrarṣer appayagnisamatejasaḥ | viśvāmitras tatas tāṃ tu viṣamasthām aninditām ||
Habang minamasdan ng rishi roon—nagniningning na parang naglalagablab na apoy—napansin ni Viśvāmitra ang babaeng walang dungis, na nakatayo sa isang alanganin at mahirap na kalagayan.
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights moral perception: a spiritually potent seer (fire-like in tejas) recognizes another’s vulnerable condition. It points toward dharma as attentive awareness—seeing distress clearly is the first step toward an ethical response, whether that response is protection, restraint, or right judgment.
Kaṇva narrates that, while the radiant sage was present and observing, Viśvāmitra noticed a blameless woman who was in a difficult or precarious situation. This observation functions as a narrative pivot, preparing for the ensuing interaction and its ethical implications.